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2026, Number 2

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Rev Mex Pediatr 2026; 93 (2)

Pediatric sepsis in the era of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026: from resuscitation to precision medicine and long-term follow-up

Fernández-Sarmiento J, Correa-Flores MÁ, Torres SF

Language: Spanish
References: 22
Page: 87-93
PDF size: 1089.22 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: the 2026 update of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) pediatric guidelines represents a conceptual shift in the definition, recognition, and management of sepsis in children, incorporating new pathophysiological perspectives, resuscitation strategies, and an increasing emphasis on long-term outcomes. Objective: this review article analyzes the most relevant changes in the 2026 SSC guidelines, their impact on clinical practice, and the main areas for future research. Main content: the 2026 SSC guidelines consolidate a conceptual shift by defining pediatric sepsis as organ dysfunction (Phoenix criteria) and aligning its management with a dynamic approach to resuscitation, in which fluid administration and the early initiation of vasoactive agents should be guided by physiology. This approach is supported by a methodological evolution that incorporates greater global representativeness and a refinement in the formulation of recommendations, prioritizing their clinical applicability and a prudent interpretation of the evidence in contexts of uncertainty. Recent evidence highlights the heterogeneity of the therapeutic effect, where results differ according to the severity and clinical scenario of each patient, broadening the horizon of their care by integrating long-term monitoring and the identification of post-sepsis syndrome and early rehabilitation, as part of comprehensive management.


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