Biomarkers in Pediatric Sepsis

Sepsis is a leading killer of both adult and pediatric patients, and delays in recognition and treatment significantly increase the risk of morbidity and mortality [2, 3]. The concept of early detection serves as the foundation for the search for clinically viable indicators of severe sepsis and septic shock – hence the interest in sepsis biomarkers. A biomarker is defined as the biological parameters associated with the presence and severity of specific disease states. Biomarkers are detectable and measurable by a variety of methods including physical examination, laboratory assays, and medical imaging. Specifically, a biomarker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated in a normal biologic process, in a pathologic process, or as a pharmacologic response to a therapeutic intervention [4]. For sepsis, a “good” biomarker may permit earlier diagnosis, earlier treatment, and thus reduced morbidity and mortality.