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[Pertussis trend in children under one year of age in the Czech Republic in 1997-2013]
Insights
Pertussis cases in infants under one year old are increasing in the Czech Republic, with most cases occurring in unvaccinated children within their first four months of life. This highlights the need for vaccination strategies like the "cocoon" approach and maternal immunization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Infants under one year of age are particularly vulnerable to severe pertussis complications and mortality.
- Understanding pertussis epidemiology in this age group is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological trends of pertussis in infants under one year of age in the Czech Republic between 1997 and 2013.
- To identify key demographic and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases in children under one year of age.
- Data collected from the Czech Republic's communicable disease surveillance system from 1997 to 2013.
- Evaluation of demographic data, hospitalization rates, and vaccination status.
Main Results:
- A consistent increase in reported pertussis cases among infants was observed from 1997 to 2013, with incidence rising from 1.1 to 31.3 per 100,000 population.
- A total of 265 cases were reported; 77% occurred within the first four months of life.
- 79% of affected infants were unvaccinated, and 75% required hospitalization, often within the first six months of life.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a significant upward trend in infant pertussis in the Czech Republic.
- The high proportion of unvaccinated infants contracting pertussis underscores the importance of vaccination, including the "cocoon" strategy (vaccinating close contacts) and potentially maternal vaccination.
- Early-life vaccination and booster doses are critical for protecting infants against pertussis.
Study Objective:
To characterize the epidemiological situation of pertussis in children under one year of age in the Czech Republic in 1997-2013.
Material And Methods:
The study cohort consisted of children under one year of age with laboratory confirmed pertussis reported to the communicable disease system from 1997 to 2013. A total of 265 pertussis cases were reported in children under one year of age over the study period. Selected demographic data, need for hospitalization, and vaccination history were evaluated in the study cohort.
Results:
Children under one year of age have shown a steady upward trend in reported cases of pertussis since the 1990s. The reported incidence of pertussis in this age group was the lowest in 1998 (1.1/100,000 population) and the highest in 2013 (31.3/100,000). In 1997-2013, 265 pertussis cases were reported in children under one year of age, 128 females and 137 males, to the communicable disease system in the Czech Republic. Most of these children, nearly 77%, developed pertussis within the first four months of life. Of the 265 children, 79% were not vaccinated before the onset of the disease and 21% were immunized with at least one dose of pertussis vaccine before developing the disease. As many as 75% of the children with pertussis needed hospitalization. Most of them, nearly 81%, were hospitalized with pertussis in the first four months of life and 90% of them in the first six months of life.
Conclusions:
In 1997-2013, an upward trend was observed in pertussis cases in children under one year of age. Most children developed the disease within the first four months of life while not vaccinated against pertussis. This fact unambiguously supports the "cocoon" strategy, i.e. vaccination of the closest contacts of the child, and a booster dose at 25 years of age. At the same time, a question arises whether to provide vaccination to pregnant women.
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