On March 31, information from Khanh Hoa General Hospital said that the unit had just received and successfully treated a 19-month-old patient in a critical infectious shock condition.
Patient V.K. B (residing in Van Hung commune, Khanh Hoa province) was admitted to the hospital at 2:28 pm on March 25 in a state of high fever, very severe.
According to the family, the night before, the baby and a twin child in the family used pre-mixed boxed milk. At about 5 am the next morning, both children experienced vomiting and diarrhea.
However, the remaining child only had mild symptoms, while patient B vomited and had diarrhea more than 10 times, and had loose, blue stools. The family bought medicine for treatment at home but it did not improve, and then took the child to the hospital.
When admitted to the hospital, the child had a high fever of 40°C, lethargy, slow reaction, purple lips, cold hands and feet. Doctors noted that the rotating pulse was not detectable, blood pressure could not be measured, the capillary filling time lasted over 4 seconds, and the heart rate was fast at 198 beats/minute.
Immediately, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. Test results showed severe inflammation, blood clotting disorders, liver failure, acute kidney failure. Clinical signs consistent with the diagnosis of septic shock, multiple organ damage due to gastrointestinal infection.
Subsequent tests determined that the pathogen was E. coli bacteria.
The patient was actively treated with many measures such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, intravenous shock fluids, use of vasopressors, antibiotics, adjustment of electrolyte and acid-alkaline disorders.
After 48 hours of treatment, the child's hemodynamic status gradually stabilized. After 5 days, liver and kidney function improved significantly, the child was discontinued from vasopressor drugs, discontinued the ventilator and removed the endotracheal tube, and breathed on their own. The infection was controlled, expected discharge from the hospital in the next few days.
According to doctors, septic shock is a dangerous medical emergency condition that can lead to multiple organ failure if not detected and treated promptly. Although medicine has made much progress, the mortality rate from the disease is still high.
Early detection of sepsis in young children is difficult because initial symptoms are easily confused with common diseases. However, the disease can progress rapidly and cause serious consequences.
Parents need to pay special attention to signs such as: lethargy, confusion, high fever, shortness of breath, little or no urination, pale skin or purple veins. When there are suspicious signs, take the child to a medical facility immediately for examination and timely treatment.
According to recommendations, those who are saved by early detection and proper treatment can recover after 7–14 days. Conversely, if delayed, children are at risk of death or leaving severe sequelae.
