Sepsis in Pediatric in Vietnam: A Retrospective Study in Period 2008 to 2018 -

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by dysregulation of the patient’s response to infection. Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide in children. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2008 to 2018 at Children Hospital N1, Vietnam. The focus was primarily on the epidemiological factors, origin of infection, organ dysfunction, microbiological outcomes, and treatment of sepsis in pediatric patients. Results were recorded at a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Vietnam. Results: From 2008 to 2018, we had 678 patients diagnosed with sepsis treated at the PICU, with 75% diagnosed with septic shock. Most patients (80%) were under 5 years old and the ratio of male to female children was 1.2/1. The common source of sepsis was infections of the gastrointestinal tract (42%), respiratory tract (31%), skin (7%), and soft tissue (7%). Most pediatric patients had organ dysfunction (77%), and functional disorders of two or more organs accounted for 69% of children assisted with invasive ventilation. The positive blood culture rate was about 38% and was predominantly gram-positive agents (56%). The death rate due to sepsis was quite high, at 37%. Conclusion: In the past 10 years, sepsis caused by gram-positive agents has become more common, and this is a remarkable change. Sepsis remains the most common cause of death among children at the PICU and has not shown improvement. The severity of sepsis parallels the risk of death.