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Adult pertussis is hazardous for the newborn

Ellen Bamberger1, Orna Starets-Haham, David Greenberg

  • 1Pediatric Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. ellen.bamberger@b-zion.org.il

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|June 7, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Parental pertussis (whooping cough) transmission to newborns occurred in four hospital cases. Implementing infection control and parent screening can help prevent infant pertussis spread.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
  • Neonatal pertussis poses a significant risk of severe illness and mortality.
  • Hospital-acquired infections are a concern in neonatal care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of likely pertussis transmission from parents to newborns within a hospital.
  • To highlight the importance of infection control in preventing neonatal pertussis.
  • To suggest strategies for reducing pertussis transmission in healthcare environments.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case review of four instances of suspected parent-to-newborn pertussis transmission.
  • Analysis of hospital infection control protocols in place during the reported cases.
  • Review of screening practices for parental pertussis exposure.

Main Results:

  • Four cases of likely pertussis transmission from parents to their newborns were identified.
  • Transmission occurred within the hospital setting despite existing protocols.
  • The findings suggest a potential gap in preventing parental-to-newborn pertussis spread.

Conclusions:

  • Parental pertussis poses a risk to newborns even in a hospital setting.
  • Enhanced infection control measures and targeted parental screening are crucial.
  • Proactive strategies are necessary to protect neonates from pertussis.

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