Related Experiment Videos
Pertussis in hospitalized children
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
Insights
Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a serious threat to infants, causing significant illness and death even in vaccinated populations. Many hospitalized infants had not completed their pertussis vaccine series, highlighting ongoing risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) historically caused significant infant morbidity and mortality before widespread vaccination.
- The effectiveness of current vaccination strategies in preventing severe pertussis in infants requires ongoing evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the continuing impact of pertussis infection on hospitalized neonates and infants in the post-vaccine era.
- To identify the extent of morbidity and mortality associated with pertussis in young children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for infants hospitalized with pertussis.
- Analysis of patient demographics, immunization status, clinical presentation, and outcomes.
- Data collected from Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Tex., from 1967 to 1986.
Main Results:
- 182 infants under 24 months were hospitalized with pertussis.
- 89% of vaccinated patients had received fewer than two doses.
- Reported complications included convulsions (6%), apnea (25%), mechanical ventilation (5%), and intensive care (10%). Three deaths (1.6%) occurred, all due to secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis continues to be a significant cause of serious illness and death in infants.
- Incomplete vaccination is associated with severe pertussis outcomes.
- Hospital-based data underscore the need for effective pertussis prevention strategies in infants.
Abstract:
Before the whole-cell pertussis vaccine was available, Bordetella pertussis infections were an important cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. To determine the extent of continuing morbidity in an era of vaccination, a retrospective review was conducted of the records of neonates and infants hospitalized with pertussis infection at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Tex. During the 20 years from 1967 through 1986, 182 patients were younger than 24 months. Among 176 patients whose immunization history was recorded, 89% had received fewer than two doses of pertussis vaccine. The mean hospital stay was 7.4 days (range, 1 to 69 days). A convulsion occurred in 11 patients (6%). Apnea was reported in 45 patients (25%) and observed in the hospital in 26 (14%). Nine patients (5%) received mechanical ventilatory therapy. Intensive care monitoring was required in 18 patients (10%). Three (1.6%) died, all with secondary bacterial pneumonia. This hospital-based population indicates that pertussis continues to be a cause of serious morbidity and mortality in infants.