Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis
Identifying and managing pediatric sepsis is a major research focus, yet early detection and risk assessment remain challenging. In its early stages, sepsis symptoms often mimic those of mild infections or chronic conditions, complicating timely diagnosis. Although various early warning scores exist...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/123 |
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| author | Susanna Esposito Benedetta Mucci Eleonora Alfieri Angela Tinella Nicola Principi |
| author_facet | Susanna Esposito Benedetta Mucci Eleonora Alfieri Angela Tinella Nicola Principi |
| author_sort | Susanna Esposito |
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| description | Identifying and managing pediatric sepsis is a major research focus, yet early detection and risk assessment remain challenging. In its early stages, sepsis symptoms often mimic those of mild infections or chronic conditions, complicating timely diagnosis. Although various early warning scores exist, their effectiveness is limited, particularly in prehospital settings where accurate, rapid assessment is crucial. This review examines the roles of clinical prediction tools and biomarkers in pediatric sepsis. Traditional biomarkers, like procalcitonin (PCT), have improved diagnostic accuracy but are insufficient alone, often resulting in overprescription of antibiotics or delayed treatment. Combining multiple biomarkers has shown promise for early screening, though this approach can be resource-intensive and less feasible outside hospitals. Predicting sepsis outcomes to tailor therapy remains underexplored. While serial measurements of traditional biomarkers offer some prognostic insight, their reliability is limited, with therapeutic decisions often relying on clinical judgment. Novel biomarkers, particularly those identifying early organ dysfunction, hold potential for improved prognostic accuracy, but significant barriers remain. Many are only available in hospitals, require further validation, or need specialized assays not commonly available, limiting broader clinical use. Further research is needed to establish reliable protocols and enhance the clinical applicability of these tools. Meanwhile, a multifaceted approach that combines clinical judgment with existing tools and biomarkers remains essential to optimize pediatric sepsis management, improving outcomes and minimizing risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61732601742b4c728ae8605de7bd59d6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-61732601742b4c728ae8605de7bd59d62025-01-24T13:25:17ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-01-0115112310.3390/biom15010123Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved PrognosisSusanna Esposito0Benedetta Mucci1Eleonora Alfieri2Angela Tinella3Nicola Principi4Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy(Previous)Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, ItalyIdentifying and managing pediatric sepsis is a major research focus, yet early detection and risk assessment remain challenging. In its early stages, sepsis symptoms often mimic those of mild infections or chronic conditions, complicating timely diagnosis. Although various early warning scores exist, their effectiveness is limited, particularly in prehospital settings where accurate, rapid assessment is crucial. This review examines the roles of clinical prediction tools and biomarkers in pediatric sepsis. Traditional biomarkers, like procalcitonin (PCT), have improved diagnostic accuracy but are insufficient alone, often resulting in overprescription of antibiotics or delayed treatment. Combining multiple biomarkers has shown promise for early screening, though this approach can be resource-intensive and less feasible outside hospitals. Predicting sepsis outcomes to tailor therapy remains underexplored. While serial measurements of traditional biomarkers offer some prognostic insight, their reliability is limited, with therapeutic decisions often relying on clinical judgment. Novel biomarkers, particularly those identifying early organ dysfunction, hold potential for improved prognostic accuracy, but significant barriers remain. Many are only available in hospitals, require further validation, or need specialized assays not commonly available, limiting broader clinical use. Further research is needed to establish reliable protocols and enhance the clinical applicability of these tools. Meanwhile, a multifaceted approach that combines clinical judgment with existing tools and biomarkers remains essential to optimize pediatric sepsis management, improving outcomes and minimizing risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/123biomarkersorgan dysfunctionpediatric sepsiscell blood countC-reactive proteinprocalcitonin |
| spellingShingle | Susanna Esposito Benedetta Mucci Eleonora Alfieri Angela Tinella Nicola Principi Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis Biomolecules biomarkers organ dysfunction pediatric sepsis cell blood count C-reactive protein procalcitonin |
| title | Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis |
| title_full | Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis |
| title_fullStr | Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis |
| title_short | Advances and Challenges in Pediatric Sepsis Diagnosis: Integrating Early Warning Scores and Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis |
| title_sort | advances and challenges in pediatric sepsis diagnosis integrating early warning scores and biomarkers for improved prognosis |
| topic | biomarkers organ dysfunction pediatric sepsis cell blood count C-reactive protein procalcitonin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/123 |
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