Sunway city: Parents should be alert to mild symptoms such as fever, stomach ache, or cough in their children, as these could be early signs of a potentially life-threatening sepsis infection. Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Intensivist at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), Dr. Olive Lee Pei Ee, emphasized that sepsis is not merely a common infection but an abnormal immune response that can spread rapidly throughout the body.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Lee explained that the infection often begins with mild symptoms but can quickly escalate, causing widespread inflammation and organ failure within hours. She warned that sometimes the only clues are behavioral changes, such as unusual sleepiness or trouble waking up, which should never be ignored. Other warning signs include breathlessness, extreme temperature changes, or being floppy or limp.
Dr. Lee advised parents to seek immediate hospital care if their child's fever is unusually high or low and does not improve after three days of medication, or if symptoms persist. She highlighted a 2021 study conducted with researchers from Thailand and Singapore using data from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which estimated the sepsis rate in the region to be around 20 percent, possibly as high as 50 percent. The study also revealed a 19.2 percent death rate in children with severe sepsis or septic shock.
Dr. Lee pointed out that Malaysia's data underscores the concern, with nearly 1,000 cases of early-onset sepsis recorded in newborns between 2015 and 2020, mostly caused by Group B Streptococcus. She stressed that prevention, beginning with hygiene practices at home, is the most powerful weapon against sepsis. This includes regular handwashing, safe food practices, and maintaining clean environments, as well as ensuring vaccination.
Dr. Lee explained that vaccination creates herd immunity, offering protection even if a child is too young or vulnerable for certain vaccines. She cautioned against antibiotic overuse, noting that responsible antibiotic use, along with vaccination and hygiene, helps reduce the risk of infections developing into sepsis. She warned that antibiotic resistance could make hospital-acquired sepsis difficult to treat.
On recovery, Dr. Lee noted that it may take weeks or months, with a risk of complications known as post-sepsis syndrome affecting a child's physical, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being. Vulnerable groups, including newborns and children with chronic illnesses or obesity, face greater risks. Regular check-ups may be necessary to monitor organ function in affected children.