Pediatric shock

Pediatric shock accounts for significant mortality and morbidity worldwide, but remains incompletely understood in many ways, even today. Despite varied etiologies, the end result of pediatric shock is a state of energy failure and inadequate supply to meet the metabolic demands of the body. Although the mortality rate of septic shock is decreasing, the severity is on the rise. Changing epidemiology due to effective eradication programs has brought in new microorganisms. In the past, adult criteria had been used for the diagnosis and management of septic shock in pediatrics. These have been modified in recent times to suit the pediatric and neonatal population. In this article we review the pathophysiology, epidemiology and recent guidelines in the management of pediatric shock.