Biomarkers in Pediatric Sepsis: New Challenges for Diagnosis & Management

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill children despite the use of modern antibiotics and advanced resuscitation techniques. In septic individuals, response is an extremely complex chain of events involving inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes, humoral and cellular reactions and circulatory abnormalities. The diagnosis of sepsis and evaluation of its severity is complicated by the highly variable and non-specific nature of the signs and symptoms of sepsis. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and stratification of the severity of sepsis is crucial for increasing the possibility of starting timely and specific treatment. Biomarkers have an important place in this process because they can indicate the presence or absence of sepsis and its severity, as well as differentiate between bacterial infections. Other potential uses of biomarkers include roles in prognostication, guiding antibiotic therapy, evaluating the response to therapy and recovery from sepsis.

This Research Topic will explore the patho-physiology of sepsis, and the potential roles of biomarkers in pediatric sepsis. In addition, this topic will discuss the best strategies to identify patients who may benefit from specific therapies early, assess the severity of sepsis and their response to therapy.

We welcome research that include, but limited to the following sub-themes:
• Overview and future perspective on biomarkers in pediatric sepsis;
• Biomarkers that have been assessed for use in the diagnosis of sepsis and treatment;
• The role of C-reactive protein;
• Procalcitonin;
• Interleukin/Chemokines;
• Cell markers;
• Prepepsin (CD/CD14);
• Coagulation biomarkers;
• Biomarkers related to vasodilatation;
• Biomarkers of organ dysfunction;
• Acute phase protein biomarkers.