Pertussis pneumonia complicated by a hyponatremic seizure
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
1Department of Pediatrics, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan. y-abe@hosp.niigata.niigata.jp
Abstract:
We present the case of a 6-week-old male infant who had a convulsion due to pertussis pneumonia. He was admitted to our emergency department because of lethargy and hypothermia. He developed a generalized tonic-clonic convulsion, requiring various treatments, including artificial ventilation. A chest CT showed bilateral pneumonia and laboratory data revealed hyponatremia with other features of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Although SIADH has been recognized as a cause of hyponatremia in association with pneumonia, there is little in the literature regarding SIADH caused by pertussis. Hyponatremia caused by SIADH must be considered as a differential diagnosis of seizures in pertussis infection of infants.
Related Concept Videos
Seizures l: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures ll: Types
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction

