117 children have died from sepsis in Ireland in the last number of years.
That is according to a new report by the HSE, which also revealed 2,891 cases of sepsis were diagnosed in children between 2020 and 2023.
The illness which has also become known as a “silent killer,” occurs when the immune system overreacts to infections, attacking healthy organs.
15,722 people developed sepsis or septic shock in 2023.
Despite the rise in cases, the number of people dying from it has dropped in the last two years.
Sepsis poses a particularly high risk for older adults, with 64% of last year’s sepsis deaths occurring in those aged 75 and older.
27% of people needed admission to critical care beds.
No deaths were reported among 260 pregnant women who had contracted sepsis.
Sepsis can be mistaken for other conditions like a chest infection, so early detection is seen as crucial.
