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Septic shock occurs when an infection enters the blood stream and toxic substances (endotoxins) are released by dying bacteria. Part of the recommended treatment of sepsis includes aggressive fluid resuscitation, which means the infusion of large amounts of fluid over rather short periods. Although this approach is effective in adults, its effects in children have not been studied extensively. To learn more about this issue, the outcomes of 34 pediatric sepsis cases (median age, 13.5 months) were compared according to the amount of fluid administered. The criteria for diagnosing sepsis are presented. Patients who received the greatest volume of fluid after arrival in the emergency department were more likely to survive than those who received less. There was only one death among the nine patients who received the maximum dose, compared with 15 deaths among the 25 patients in the other two groups. Survivors received more fluid than nonsurvivors at one hour but similar quantities at six hours. Rapid fluid resuscitation with volumes in excess of 40 milliliters per kilogram in the first hour after the patient arrives in the emergency department led to the best outcome. Until recently, treatment of pediatric shock called for fluid administration of 10 to 20 milliliters per kilogram, but improvements in treating sepsis make it possible to infuse more fluid. No increase in complications was noted with this more aggressive approach. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)