Intervention: SODIUM CHLORIDE
Trial phase: Phase 1
ATC code: A12CA01 | B05CB01 | B05XA03 | S01XA03
SMILES: [Cl-].[Na+]
Sex: All
Age groups: Child
Healthy volunteers: No
Participants at risk: 26
Group description: 0.9% "normal" saline (NS) fluid will be administered to patients randomized to the active comparator (control) arm. NS will be used for all fluid boluses and maintenance fluids (supplemental electrolytes are allowed) from time immediately after randomization through 11:59 pm of the next calender day. The determination of when to give fluid, how much fluid to give, how fast to give fluid, and what access to use to administer fluid will remain at the discretion of the treating team.

Normal saline: Normal saline solution is an "unbalanced" crystalloid solution containing 154 mEq/L of sodium and 154 milliequivalent (mEq/L) of chloride.
Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Males or females age >6 months to <18 years

Clinician concern for septic shock, operationalized as:

a "positive" ED sepsis alert confirmed at the physician-led "sepsis huddle" OR
a physician diagnosis of suspected septic shock requiring parenteral antibiotics and fluid resuscitation as per the ED sepsis management pathway
administration of at least 20 mL/kg IV/ intraosseous (IO) fluid resuscitation
Receipt of ≤40 mL/kg IV/IO crystalloid fluid prior to randomization
Additional fluid deemed likely to be necessary to treat poor perfusion, defined as either hypotension or abnormal (either "flash" or >2 second) capillary refill (as determined by clinician's judgment)10
Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) if time permits; otherwise, EFIC criteria met

Exclusion Criteria:

Clinician judgement that patient's condition deems it unsafe to administer either NS or LR (since patients will be equally likely to receive NS or LR at time of study enrollment), including (but not limited to):

Clinical suspicion for impending brain herniation based on data available at or before patient meets criteria for study enrollment
Known hyperkalemia, defined as non-hemolyzed whole blood or plasma/serum potassium > 6 mEq/L, based on data available at or before patient meets criteria for study enrollment
Known hypercalcemia, defined as plasma/serum total calcium >12 mg/dL or whole blood ionized calcium > 1.35 mmol/L, based on data available at or before patient meets criteria for study enrollment
Known acute fulminant hepatic failure, defined as plasma/serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >10,000 U/L or total bilirubin >12.0 mg/dL, based on data available at or before patient meets criteria for study enrollment
Known history of severe hepatic impairment, defined as diagnosis of cirrhosis, "liver failure", or active listing for liver transplant
Known history of severe renal impairment, defined as current dependency on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis
Known metabolic disorder, inborn error of metabolism, or primary mineralcorticoid deficiency (e.g., mitochondrial disorder, urea cycle disorder, amino acidemia, fatty acid oxidation disorder, glycogen storage disorder, congenital adrenal hypoplasia, Addison's disease) as reported by subject, LAR or accompanying caregiver, or as listed in the medical record
Known pregnancy determined by routine clinical history disclosed by patient and/or legally authorized representative (LAR) (or other accompanying acquaintance)
Known prisoner as determined by routine social history disclosed by patient and/or LAR (or other accompanying acquaintance)
Known allergy to either normal saline or lactated Ringer's as determined by routine allergy history disclosed by patient and/or LAR (or other accompanying acquaintance) or as indicated in the medical record
Indication of prior declined consent to participate based on presence of "PRoMPT BOLUS Opt-Out" bracelet