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Malignant pertussis in the pediatric intensive care unit

Sarah L Kundrat1, Terry L Wolek, Margaret Rowe-Telow

  • 1Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-1174, USA. Sarah.kundrat@advocatehealth.com

Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing : DCCN
|December 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Infantile malignant pertussis, a severe Bordetella pertussis infection, causes infant respiratory failure and death. This article reviews two cases and protective programs for vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infantile malignant pertussis (whooping cough) is a severe, often fatal, respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis.
  • This vaccine-preventable disease is increasingly prevalent globally, leading to significant infant mortality.
  • Early recognition and intervention are critical for managing severe pertussis cases.

Observation:

  • The article presents two distinct cases of infantile malignant pertussis.
  • Both cases exhibited severe symptoms including respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and leukocytosis.
  • These infants faced life-threatening conditions requiring intensive medical care.

Findings:

  • Bordetella pertussis infection can rapidly progress to a malignant form in infants.
  • Despite vaccination efforts, pertussis remains a global health threat to vulnerable infant populations.
  • Effective management requires a multi-faceted approach, including hospital and community-level interventions.

Implications:

  • There is an urgent need for enhanced global pertussis surveillance and vaccination strategies.
  • Developing and implementing robust internal hospital protocols and community outreach programs are crucial.
  • Protecting vulnerable infants from severe pertussis necessitates a coordinated public health response.

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