Emergency advice

Sepsis in babies and young children:

  1. Call 999.
  2. Reassure them and keep them comfortable.
  3. Monitor their level of response.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is caused by the way the body responds to an infection. The infection can occur anywhere, from chest or urinary infections, or problems in the abdomen like appendicitis, or even simple skin injuries like cuts and bites. 

It is a life-threatening condition which makes the immune system go into overdrive as it tries to fight the infection. This can reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, eventually leading to multiple organ failure and possibly death.

Signs and symptoms

Sepsis can be hard to spot. It can initially look like flu or a chest infection. Symptoms can appear different in babies and young children from those of adults and older children. View first aid advice for sepsis in adults and older children.

In babies and young children, look for:

  • A temperature of more than 38C in a baby under 3 months, or more than 39C aged 3-6 months
  • Not feeding
  • Vomiting repeatedly
  • Passing no urine over the past 12 hours
  • Skin is mottled, discoloured, blue, or pale
  • Has a ‘fit’, or seizure
  • Severe breathlessness or breathing rapidly
  • Not responding or handling as they normally do
  • The child being lethargic and/or hard to wake
  • Feels abnormally cold to touch.

They may not have all these symptoms.

What to do

  1. If a baby or young child is unwell and you think they have one or more symptoms of sepsis, do not wait.  Call 999 or 112 for emergency help straight away.

  2. While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them comfortable.  Cover them with a blanket if they feel cold.

Related first aid advice

Sepsis in adults and older children

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. It can lead to multiple organ failure and possibly death. Find out what to look for and what to do.

How to do CPR on a baby (under one year old)

If a baby is not responding to you and not breathing normally, you will need to call 999 or 112 for emergency help and start CPR straight away. Learn what to do.

Meningitis

Anyone of any age can get meningitis. Find out what to look for and what to do.