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Paediatric sepsis — DIPIMC MCQ

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EasyPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesPaediatric sepsisDIPIMCDipIMC

A 2-year-old has a high fever and is lethargic. The skin is mottled with cool peripheries, the capillary refill time is prolonged and the child is tachypnoeic.

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Correct answer: B — Recognise possible sepsis and arrange urgent transfer with a pre-alert.

A febrile child with mottling, poor perfusion and lethargy may have sepsis and needs urgent recognition, supportive care and a pre-alerted transfer. Antipyretics and reassurance alone are unsafe when red-flag features are present. Lowering the temperature does not address the underlying illness, so transport is not delayed.

Reference: NICE NG51 (Sepsis)