Caffeine to prevent respiratory failure and improve outcome in infant pertussis

John Evered1, Eric Pfeifer2, Matthew Gracianette3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.

BMJ Case Reports
|March 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Pertussis is a dangerous infant disease. Therapeutic caffeine may improve outcomes by preventing apnea and reducing pulmonary complications in infants with pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) poses a significant global health risk, particularly to infants under six months.
  • Infant pertussis is associated with high mortality and morbidity, primarily due to pertussis toxin effects.
  • Key complications include lymphocytosis, pulmonary hyperviscosity, and pulmonary hypertension.

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