Box 1.

Study definitions based on the presently accepted systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis criteria for children developed by Goldstein et al.^2,67

Term	Definition
SIRS	The presence of > 2 of the following 4 criteria, one must be abnormal temperature or leukocyte count:
	Axillary temperature of > 37.8°C or < 36°C
	Abnormal HR: tachycardia (HR > 2 SD above normal for age) or bradycardia for children aged < 1 year (HR < 10th% for age)
	Increased work of breathing (mean respiratory rate > 2 SD above normal for age or shortness of breath on examination)
	Leukocyte count elevated or depressed for age or > 10% immature neutrophils
Infection	Suspected or proven, caused by any pathogen or a clinical syndrome associated with a high probability of infection.
Sepsis	SIRS in the presence/as a result of a suspected or proven infection.

HR = heart rate; RR = respiratory rate.