Section:
Case reports
Published:
2025-08-30

Septic shock in a burn patient: a diagnostic challenge

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Christian Matteo1,
Adriana Rodríguez2,
Marvis Corro1,
Kasey Fuentes2,
Michael Carrillo1
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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37980/im.journal.rspp.es.20252510

Keywords:

sepsis, septic shock, burns

Abstract

Sepsis is one of the main causes of death in the world, with a high mortality rate of 19.7% [1]. The definition of sepsis has varied over the years, but the concept of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) plus a suspected or confirmed infection has remained. In a burned patient, especially with a large burn extension, the initial hypermetabolic response of tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia and leukocytosis causes a diagnostic challenge of sepsis and septic shock because these are signs present in SIRS. Due to this the identification of sepsis in a burn patient is complicated. Early diagnosis and timely treatment have shown better results in short and long term. This review is about a case treated in the burn unit of the Dr. José Renán Esquivel Children's Hospital (HDNJRE) in January 2024 of a scald burn complicated by sepsis and septic shock.

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