The sepsis workup for the febrile child.

The sick infant or toddler who presents with a high fever or suspected sepsis must have all possible sources for bacterial infection excluded by clinical evaluation or laboratory studies as quickly and safely as possible. The process is frightening and often painful for the child. The process can be difficult for the physician because of the smallness of anatomic structures in children and the infrequent performance of pediatric procedures by many emergency physicians. This article uses a case report to illustrate features of the sepsis workup. Methods and sites that have been used with the most frequent success are described and alternatives and pitfalls are listed.