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Lung function after pertussis
D M Hughes1, H Newton-John, O M Chay
1Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Children hospitalized with pertussis (whooping cough) in infancy may experience later respiratory issues. However, the study found no significantly higher incidence of abnormal pulmonary function compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- The long-term effects of pertussis (whooping cough) on pulmonary function are not well-established.
- Infant pertussis hospitalization may impact future respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infant pertussis hospitalization and subsequent pulmonary function abnormalities.
- To assess respiratory symptoms and lung function in individuals with a history of severe pertussis.
Main Methods:
- Studied 30 individuals hospitalized with pertussis before 6 months of age.
- Performed spirometry, lung volumes, maximum flow rates, and histamine challenges.
- Collected data on respiratory symptoms and family history of asthma.
Main Results:
- 30% of subjects reported recurrent cough and wheeze.
- 37% exhibited abnormal pulmonary function tests.
- Symptomatic subjects often showed abnormal lung function, including positive histamine challenges.
- 21% had a family history of asthma.
Conclusions:
- Infant pertussis hospitalization can be associated with later lower airway symptoms and abnormal pulmonary function.
- The incidence of these abnormalities was not significantly higher than in a socio-economic matched control group.
Abstract:
The relationship between pertussis infection and subsequent abnormalities of pulmonary function is not clear. Thirty subjects (16 male, 14 female) aged 14.3 years (s.e.m. = 1.9) were studied who had been hospitalized with culture-proven pertussis when less than 6 months of age. Details of respiratory symptoms in the subjects and their families were obtained. Standard spirometry, lung volumes by body plethysmography, maximum flows at low lung volumes and histamine challenges were performed. Nine of 30 (30%) subjects were symptomatic with a history of recurrent cough and wheeze while 11 of 30 (37%) had abnormal pulmonary function tests. Seven of nine symptomatic subjects had abnormal pulmonary function including positive histamine challenges. Twenty-one per cent had a family history of asthma. This study indicates that children hospitalized in infancy with pertussis can subsequently be shown to have recurrent lower airways symptomatology and abnormal pulmonary function, but the incidence is not significantly higher than a control group from the same socio-economic background.