Sepsis in pediatric burn patients.
OBJECTIVE
To review the specific infections common in pediatric burns, including their categorization, diagnosis, and treatment.


METHODS
Review of the literature and expert opinion.


RESULTS
Children with serious burns are prone to a host of septic complications. This proclivity to infection is secondary to the immunosuppressive effect of burn injury, the loss of the skin and mucosal physical barriers, and the requirement for invasive support devices.


CONCLUSIONS
Sepsis is common in the pediatric burn patient and can markedly increase morbidity and mortality. Anticipation, prompt diagnosis of infection, and effective therapy can result in successful outcomes for many of these children.
Sheridan
Robert L
RL
Department of Surgery, Division of Burns, Shriners Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology