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[Perinatal pertussis: from mother to child]
A F Brouwer1, J F van Gils, P L Brand
1Isala Klinieken, locaties Weezenlanden en Sophia, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 10.500, 8000 GM Zwolle.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Newborn infants can contract pertussis (whooping cough) from mothers, even if vaccinated. Early antibiotic treatment for mothers is crucial to prevent severe infant illness and hospitalisation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a concern despite vaccination programs.
- Neonatal pertussis is rarely described but can lead to severe complications.
- Adults, including vaccinated individuals, can contract and transmit pertussis.
Observation:
- Two infants presented with poor feeding and weight loss, later developing a typical pertussis cough.
- Serological testing confirmed both infants' mothers had recent pertussis infections.
- One mother experienced severe coughing throughout her labor.
Findings:
- Neonatal pertussis can occur even with established vaccination programs.
- Adult pertussis, even in vaccinated individuals, poses a transmission risk to unvaccinated infants.
- Pertussis in the neonatal period is an insidious disease with potentially severe outcomes.
Implications:
- Suspected maternal pertussis near term or in newborns warrants prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Protecting newborns from pertussis requires addressing adult and maternal infections.
- Increased awareness and timely intervention are vital for managing neonatal pertussis.