Abstract
Severe sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening diseases in both developed and
developing countries and is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in
all age groups. In developing countries, there is a direct relationship between the
incidence of infections and mortality under five years of age. Child mortality in
these scenarios is complex and involves issues such as lack of preventative care,
malnutrition, poverty, and lack of resources, that together contribute to the increased
incidence and poor outcomes in sepsis. The concept of integrated management of childhood
illness that involves the community, family and health systems is an important way
that has been proposed for reduce children mortality and morbidity in developing nations
and should be applied in sepsis initiatives. Sepsis and septic shock are observed
time-sensitive, early diagnosis and prompt treatment have been related to good outcome.
Actions such as prevention sound public health policies, educational programs for
health care providers, family and community may help to reduce the global burden of
this disease in children.
Keywords
Severe infectio - sepsis - septic shock - epidemiology - mortality - children
