Blood infection or blood poisoning is a condition that can affect any person, at any time. Yet, children, especially newborns, are more susceptible to this disease. This is because of the simple reason that their immunity levels are very low. Children who are not vaccinated are more vulnerable to blood infections and also children between 2 months and 36 months of age (when the immune system has not yet fully developed). Babies under 2 months are shielded from such infection as they receive antibodies from their mother in the womb. The only exception is the group B strep newborn contract from their mother during birth. The risk of the blood infection in the child will start to decreases eventually, as the child turns two and by the time the child turns 3 years old they will be at a lower risk.
So now you will want to know what blood infection in children is? What are the consequences of the blood infection in children? How would you know whether your kid has contracted blood infection? How would you know when to seek medical attention? Continue reading to know how you can identify the symptoms of sepsis, reasons, and its treatment.
- What Is Blood Infection Or Sepsis?
- How Could My Child Get Sepsis?
- What Causes A Blood Infection In Children?
- What Are The Symptoms Of The Blood Infection In Children?
- Treating Blood infection In Children
- How To Prevent Blood Infection In Children?
- When To Call The Doctor?
What Is Blood Infection Or Sepsis?
Blood infection, which is also known as sepsis is a condition that happens when the immune system overreacts to an infection and attacks organs and tissues in the body.
How Could My Child Get Sepsis?
Sepsis happens when bacteria that cause infection in another part of the body somehow manage to get into the bloodstream of the baby. The presence of bacteria in the blood is a condition called septicemia. Septicemia if not detected on time and promptly treated, can lead to sepsis. Since blood poisoning happens when bacteria enter the blood in conjunction with another infection, the baby will develop an infection before developing sepsis.
The infection can occur in any part of the baby’s body, like the lungs, bones, joints, abdomen, urinary tract, or even the skin. If undetected, blood infection in children can harm the organs like kidneys, liver, bones or even the lungs. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated on time.
What Causes A Blood Infection In Children?
Even though the major cause of blood infection in babies is bacteria, rarely virus and fungi can also bring about blood infection once they enter the blood stream. The child can contract a blood infection by:
- Unvaccinated toddlers and babies are more vulnerable to blood infection than the vaccinated babies
- Open wound or cut that if left untreated for long while can result in spreading of staphylococcus bacteria in the blood stream of the baby
- Preemies in NICU rely on the catheter, tubes and IV lines and are more prone to blood infection as the incision made to administer this equipment can pave way for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream of the baby
- Pregnancy complication can also result in blood infection in newborn. The bacteria from the mother’s body could enter the blood stream of the baby during delivery if:
- If the mother develops an infection in the uterus or placenta
- If the amniotic sac ruptured too early before delivery
- If the mother develops fever or infections during labor
- Children born and brought up in a poor hygienic atmosphere with poor nutrition and weaker immune system are more vulnerable to blood infections
- Undetected and not properly treated urinary tract infection, pneumonia, ear infections and sometimes, meningitis can cause blood infection in babies
What Are The Symptoms Of The Blood Infection In Children?
Most babies and children having blood infection do not show any significant symptoms of this disease, making it difficult to diagnose the disease. However, a sudden rise in body temperature or fever that is higher than 100.4 degrees F can be a symptom of the blood infection.
In addition to fever, babies below 3 months show the following symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty in breathing. Sometimes, in extreme cases, baby even stops breathing for around 10 seconds
- Your baby may develop jaundice. (jaundice can be a symptom of several other health issues too)
- loss of appetite in babies
- baby refusing to eat/ feed
- Less wet diapers
- Rashes on the skin
- Paleness of skin
- Bulging of soft spot (fontanelles) on baby’s head
- Seizures
Older children show following signs:
- Change in heart rate
- Experience difficulty in passing urine
- Irritability
- Difficulty in breathing
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Paleness of skin
How Is Blood Infection In Children Diagnosed?
Since there are no significant symptoms of sepsis, and most of the symptoms are subtle, your doctor may order a series of lab tests to confirm or to rule out blood infection in children. The doctor first looks for ant sign of ear, throat, or lung infection once your baby develops a fever. If there are no signs they will consider the possibility of a blood infection. If blood poisoning is suspected, your doctor will run:
- Blood tests to check for the presence of infection-causing bacteria or other microorganisms
- Test for checking the blood oxygen level and for blood clots
- Tests to check the possibility of urinary tract infection
- A spinal tap may be recommended to check for infection (bacterial meningitis)
- A chest x-ray may be recommended to check for infection in the lungs. Pneumonia, if not recognized on time, can lead to the blood infection in children
- CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound and x rays are also used to detect infections in internal organs of the child
Treating Blood infection In Children
Timely treatment is essential as the infection can quickly spread to tissues or to heart valves. Therefore, while the lab test’s result are awaited, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the fever and minimize the effect of infection on other organs. Once the result of lab test comes out positive then:
- The child is admitted to the hospital
- Antibiotics is also given intravenously to fight infection
- IV fluid is given to keep the child hydrated
- Blood plasma is administrated if there are blood clots
- Blood pressure medicine may have administered to keep the heart working properly
- Respirators are used if the child develops breathing issues
If the infection is in the initial stages, children can recover fast with antibiotics. The infection will clear up in a week or so, but it’s very important to make sure the child takes the whole course of antibiotics and return for any follow-up visits.
How To Prevent Blood Infection In Children?
- Blood infection in the children can be prevented to a certain extent by ensuring all the vaccinations of the child are taken on time
- Also, if there is any cut or infections in the skin, clean it properly
- Look for the sign of infections. Detecting the signs of infection as early as possible will reduce the chance of the child to contract blood infections
- Take your child to the doctor immediately if you notice any signs of sepsis. If detected early, sepsis can be easily cured
- Keep your child away from people who have any kind of skin, lung or sinus infection
- Boost your child’s immune system by giving him healthy and nutritious diet
- Maintain proper hygiene by making sure that your child cleans his hands properly with soap and water to prevent bacteria getting into the body
When To Call The Doctor?
If you notice any signs of sepsis, call your doctor and get it checked. It is not necessary that the symptoms may be of sepsis, but it’s better to rule it out with a proper medical check-up. Take your child to the doctor if:
- He suddenly develops fever
- Has persistent cough and coughs blood
- He has trouble breathing
- You notice that his fingernails have turned pale blue
- He has passed out or has a seizure
- He vomits blood
Always remember that blood infection if detected early and treated on time can be totally cured with antibiotics. So it is necessary that if notice any unusual signs, seek medical attention immediately. Follow the above tips and prevent sepsis in children.
