Carlton EF, et al. - In this investigation, researchers measured the current costs of pediatric severe sepsis and understand the correlation of complex chronic conditions with sepsis hospitalization costs. The total cost of pediatric severe sepsis hospitalizations was estimated at $4.8 billion ($5.8 billion in 2016 dollars) in 2005, the most recent year for which national figures were available. Since then, increased attention has been paid to severe sepsis, revision of protocols for sepsis treatment, and growing prevalence of children with clinical complications responsible for the large portion of healthcare spending, hospitalization stays, and readmissions.