Long-term mortality in pediatric sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yongbiao Lv, Jiayi Zheng, Junxiang Cai et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis estimated long-term mortality among children with sepsis diagnosed using international consensus criteria. Six studies, including 11,318 pediatric patients, contributed data. The pooled long-term mortality was 11% (95% CI: 7-16%), with substantial heterogeneity across studies (I² = 98.2%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses produced similar estimates, and the authors found limited evidence of publication bias. The review highlights mortality risk after hospital discharge and calls for stronger longitudinal research to identify modifiable risks and inform follow-up care.
Key findings
- Across six studies and 11,318 pediatric sepsis patients, pooled long-term mortality was 11% (95% CI: 7-16%).
- Estimates showed substantial between-study heterogeneity (I² = 98.2%, p < 0.001).
- Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results, and evidence of publication bias was limited.
Why it matters
Mortality after pediatric sepsis extends beyond the hospital stay, underscoring that discharge does not mark the end of risk. The pooled estimate provides a broad measure of this burden, while the marked variation between studies cautions against assuming a uniform prognosis. Better longitudinal evidence may help clarify which survivors are at greatest risk and what follow-up needs are appropriate.
What to keep in mind
The pooled estimate is based on only six studies and has substantial heterogeneity (I² = 98.2%), limiting confidence that it represents a consistent risk across populations or settings.