Genotypes and Phenotypes in Pediatric SIRS and Sepsis

The aim of this investigation is to longitudinally quantify host gene expression and serum proteins in children with infectious and non-infectious SIRS. The investigators hypothesize that children with non-infectious SIRS, with bacterial infection associated SIRS, or with viral infection associated SIRS will exhibit distinct patterns of host gene expression and serum proteins. The investigators further hypothesize that it should be possible to discover sets of mRNA or protein biomarkers that will permit unambiguous diagnosis of non-infectious SIRS, SIRS associated with bacterial infection, and SIRS associated with viral infection.