Sepsis in Children: Global Implications of the World Health Assembly Resolution on Sepsis

Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017 Dec;18(12):e625-e627. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000001340.

Abstract

Background: Sepsis, worldwide the leading cause of death in children, has now been recognized as the global health emergency it is. On May 26, 2017, the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, adopted a resolution proposed by the Global Sepsis Alliance to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sepsis.

Objective: To discuss the implications of this resolution for children worldwide.

Conclusions: The resolution highlights sepsis as a global threat and urges the 194 United Nations member states to take specific actions and implement appropriate measures to reduce its human and health economic burden. The resolution is a major step toward achieving the targets outlined by the Sustainable Developmental Goals for decreasing mortality in infants and children, but implementing it will require a concerted global effort.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Global Health*
  • Health Policy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • International Cooperation*
  • Preventive Health Services
  • Sepsis* / diagnosis
  • Sepsis* / mortality
  • Sepsis* / therapy
  • World Health Organization*