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[Pertussis infection and fatal pulmonary hypertension]

K Menif1, A Bouziri, A Khaldi

  • 1Service de réanimation pédiatrique polyvalente, hôpital d'Enfants de Tunis, place Bab Saadoun Jebbari, 1007 Tunis, Tunisie. menifk@yahoo.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|October 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Severe pertussis in infants can cause intractable pulmonary hypertension and shock, a fatal complication. This case highlights the severe, lesser-known risks of pertussis in infants, emphasizing the need for awareness and prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a significant cause of infant mortality globally.
  • Severe pertussis can lead to catastrophic complications, including pulmonary hypertension and shock.
  • The clinical presentation and management of these complications in infants are not widely understood.

Observation:

  • A 2-month-old infant presented with severe pertussis.
  • The infant developed intractable pulmonary hypertension and shock.
  • Despite medical interventions, the infant's condition was refractory.

Findings:

  • The case illustrates a fatal outcome of severe pertussis in an infant.
  • Refractory pulmonary hypertension and shock were the primary complications.
  • This highlights a severe, under-recognized clinical course of pertussis in neonates and infants.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of severe pertussis complications in infants is crucial for early recognition.
  • This case underscores the importance of infant vaccination against pertussis.
  • Further research into managing pertussis-induced pulmonary hypertension in infants may be warranted.

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