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Health burden of pertussis in infants and children
David P Greenberg1, Carl-Heinz Wirsing von König, Ulrich Heininger
1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. David.Greenberg@sanofipasteur.com
Insights
Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence has decreased with vaccination, but remains a severe threat to infants. Protecting young children before full immunization is crucial to prevent serious complications and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Vaccination has dramatically reduced pertussis (whooping cough) incidence globally.
- Despite vaccination, pertussis remains a significant public health concern, especially for infants.
- Infants experience the highest rates of pertussis-related hospitalization, complications, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the true health burden of pertussis in infants.
- To identify strategies for combating the transmission and infection of Bordetella pertussis.
- To explore methods for preventing disease spread to infants before primary immunization completion.
Main Methods:
- Review of pertussis incidence data in vaccinated populations.
- Analysis of morbidity and mortality rates in infants compared to other age groups.
- Assessment of complications associated with infant pertussis.
Main Results:
- Pertussis, while milder in older individuals, poses a severe risk to unvaccinated or incompletely immunized infants.
- Infant complications include pneumonia, encephalopathy, meningoencephalitis, apnea, and cyanosis.
- Preventing transmission to infants before completing their immunization series is essential.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis remains a critical public health issue, particularly for vulnerable infants.
- The Global Pertussis Initiative aims to mitigate the impact of Bordetella pertussis.
- Strategies to protect infants from pertussis are urgently needed.
Abstract:
In countries with high rates of vaccination against pertussis, the incidence of this disease has decreased dramatically compared with the prevaccine era. However, pertussis still occurs in these countries, and severe morbidity and mortality are greatest among infants, particularly those who are unimmunized or incompletely immunized. Pertussis in older children and adults is perceived by many as being a mild disease, but it is a significant health burden in persons of all ages. Infants with pertussis experience the highest rates of hospitalization, complications and death. Severe complications include pneumonia, encephalopathy and meningoencephalitis. In addition, infants may experience weight loss, bronchitis, otitis media, apnea, cyanosis, inguinal hernia and rectal prolapse. It is essential to explore methods to prevent disease transmission to infants in the months before they complete their primary immunization series. The Global Pertussis Initiative was established to assess the true health burden of pertussis in infants and to suggest strategies to combat transmission and infection with Bordetella pertussis, which remains a significant public health concern.
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