[Septic conditions: a syndrome of multiorgan dysfunction]

Using a new concept of terminology for sepsis syndrome, septic shock and multiorgan dysfunction/failure syndrome (MODS/MOSF) as a framework, we have evaluated 21 cases of severe sepsis of new admitted newborns in Neonatology Department of Pediatric clinic of Clinical center University of Sarajevo during last 2 years. We found that the most common etiologic agents were gram negative organisms (Klebsiella pn. and E. coli) and staphylococci. We did not observed any streptococcus group B sepsis despite of high incidence of these infections in developed countries. In 12 (60%) of 21 patients with severe sepsis MODS was developed, involving at least two organ systems, 3 of them also had the other acute insult (emergency surgery and asphyxia) as a possible trigger for MODS. The incidence of specific organ failure was: CNS (58%), respiratory (50%), cardiovascular (41%), the other systems were less involved. The overall mortality rate of patients with sepsis was 28%, whereas the overall mortality rate of MODS/MOSF was 50%.