These four fascinating papers are worthwhile reading together because they are a great example of predictive score development and validation, working with large data (a data-driven approach) and working with a huge number of teams (Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Pediatric Sepsis Definition Task Force) across low to middle to high-income countries and giving generalisability. Sanchez-Pinto et al (JAMA 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.0196) have conducted this multicentre, international, retrospective cohort study in 10 health systems in the USA, Colombia, Bangladesh, China and Kenya, including 3 049 699 children aged less than 18 years in the emergency department and inpatient setting …