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As stated in the article, it is important to assess these patients for signs of sepsis. However, the mentioned RCP criteria for defining sepsis are not appropriate for the 9-year-old in this scenario. There are distinct age-related paediatric definitions for sepsis[1], of which all doctors treating unwell children should have some awareness.
1. Goldstein B, Giroir B, Randolph A. International pediatric sepsis consensus conference: Definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in paediatrics. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005;6:2-8
This short article is an important message about this potentially life threatening condition.
When these children present to the Eye Clinic, it is most important to inform the ENT Specialist so that underlying ethmoid infection can be assessed and treated most effectively. It is important that the ENT Specialist in charge is contacted as the on call junior ENT doctor may not have the experience to recognise and deal with the seriousness of this condition. This is especially crucial out of hours or at the weekend.
It is not appropriate to order a CT scan and wait for that before informing the ENT Specialist.
Re: A swollen right eye in a child
As stated in the article, it is important to assess these patients for signs of sepsis. However, the mentioned RCP criteria for defining sepsis are not appropriate for the 9-year-old in this scenario. There are distinct age-related paediatric definitions for sepsis[1], of which all doctors treating unwell children should have some awareness.
1. Goldstein B, Giroir B, Randolph A. International pediatric sepsis consensus conference: Definitions for sepsis and organ dysfunction in paediatrics. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005;6:2-8
Competing interests: No competing interests