Pertussis with severe pulmonary hypertension in a newborn with good outcome - case report

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Critical Care

Background:

• Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant threat to unvaccinated infants despite widespread vaccination.
• Infants born to mothers with low Bordetella pertussis antibody titers are particularly vulnerable to severe disease, complications, and mortality.
• Neonatal pertussis-associated pulmonary hypertension is frequently fatal.

Observation:

• A clinical case of a neonate presenting with severe pertussis-induced respiratory failure.
• The neonate also exhibited severe pulmonary hypertension, a critical and often fatal complication.
• Standard treatments were insufficient to manage the severe respiratory distress and pulmonary hypertension.

Findings:

• The neonate was successfully treated with a combination of sildenafil and inhaled nitric oxide.
• This therapeutic approach addressed both the respiratory failure and the severe pulmonary hypertension.
• The successful outcome suggests a potential treatment strategy for this severe condition.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the potential efficacy of sildenafil and inhaled nitric oxide in managing severe pertussis-induced pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure in neonates.
• It highlights the need for effective interventions beyond standard care for critically ill infants with pertussis.
• Further research may explore this combination therapy for similar cases, potentially improving survival rates in neonatal pertussis.