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Epidemiological Characteristics and Risk Factors of the Pertussis in Infants < 12 Months of Age in Tianjin, China
Hai Tao Huang1, Zhi Gang Gao1, Yong Liu1
1Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin 300011, China.
Insights
Infant pertussis (whooping cough) is highly concentrated in infants under 12 months. Parents are the primary source of infection, highlighting the need for adult vaccination to protect vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pertussis remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly for infants.
- Infants under 12 months experience the highest incidence and severity of pertussis.
- Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of infant pertussis cases in Tianjin, China.
- To identify the primary sources of pertussis infection in infants.
- To investigate the role of maternal antibodies in infant pertussis.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive epidemiological analysis of 631 infant pertussis cases (< 12 months) from 2010-2015.
- Data collection on case demographics, transmission patterns, and antibody levels.
- Statistical analysis to determine incidence rates and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Infants < 12 months constituted 57.42% of total pertussis cases.
- Infant pertussis incidence was 104.66/100,000, 118 times higher than other age groups.
- Adult-to-infant transmission was the predominant pattern (70.51%), with parents as the source in 80.18% of cases.
- Placental antibody transfer was observed in 31.06% of infants, decreasing to 3.13% by 3 months.
- Low neonatal antibody levels and rapid waning of maternal antibodies contributed to infant susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Infants face the highest risk of pertussis due to factors including parental transmission and insufficient maternal antibodies.
- Targeted vaccination strategies for adults, especially parents, are essential to reduce infant pertussis.
- Further research into antibody dynamics and optimal vaccination timing is warranted.
Abstract:
The epidemiologic characteristics of 631 infant pertussis cases < 12 months, which accounted for 57.42% of the total cases, were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology in Tianjin, between 2010 and 2015. The incidence of infants was 104.66/100,000, which was 118 times higher than in other age groups (P < 0.001). The primary type of pertussis simultaneously presented in households was adult-to-infant (70.51%). The parents were identified as the source of infection in 80.18% of cases for infants. The positive rate of placental antibody transfer was 31.06% and 3.13% for 3-month-old infants. Infants presented the highest age-specific pertussis incidence. The most important reason was parents were the important sources of infection, and secondly the lower level of antibodies in neonates and the rapid waning of maternal antibody titer.
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