ason Watkins has opened up about the grief his family experienced following his two-year-old daughter’s death from sepsis.
The actor and his wife Clara Francis lost Maudie in 2011 after she died of undiagnosed sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
In their new ITV documentary, they open up about their daughter’s death.
Jason & Clara: In Memory of Maudie airs tonight on ITV at 9pm.
Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms of sepsis in children.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s tissues and organs.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person.
Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.
What are the symptoms of sepsis in children?
Sepsis is life-threatening and it can be hard to spot.
There are lots of possible symptoms that resemble other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.
If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, you should trust your instincts and call 999 or go to A&E.
A baby or young child may have any of these symptoms of sepsis, but not all of them:
- blue, grey, pale, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness, or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
What is the difference between sepsis and septicemia?
Septicaemia is when bacteria enter the bloodstream, and cause blood poisoning which triggers sepsis.
Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
