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Severe pertussis complicated by pulmonary hypertension in a Moroccan infant: a case report

Mehdi Belhakim1, Zineb El Jaouhahri2, Aicha Boudar2

  • 1Cardiology Department, University Hospital Ibn Rochd, University Hassan II, Hospital Street, 20360, Casablanca, Morocco. mbelhakim10@gmail.com.

Journal of Medical Case Reports
|August 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pertussis can cause severe pulmonary hypertension in infants, a rare but serious complication. Early diagnosis and treatment, including sildenafil, can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Pertussis remains a public health concern in Morocco, particularly for infants under one year.
  • Pulmonary hypertension is a rare but severe complication of Bordetella pertussis infection.
  • This case report highlights the importance of recognizing and managing this complication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To raise awareness of the rare association between pertussis and pulmonary hypertension.
  • To emphasize the need for early diagnosis and prompt therapeutic intervention.
  • To improve the prognosis of infants with severe pertussis complicated by pulmonary hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • A case report of a 2-month-old infant girl with respiratory distress and confirmed Bordetella pertussis infection.
  • Diagnostic workup included physical examination, laboratory tests, chest CT, and echocardiography.
  • Treatment involved antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and sildenafil, with close monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with severe respiratory distress, leukocytosis, pneumonia, and significant pulmonary hypertension.
  • Initiation of sildenafil led to marked respiratory improvement and reduced pulmonary artery pressures.
  • The infant was discharged asymptomatic and with normal development after 25 days of hospitalization.

Conclusions:

  • Pertussis can be associated with pulmonary hypertension, necessitating heightened clinical suspicion.
  • Aggressive and timely management, including the use of targeted therapies like sildenafil, can improve patient outcomes.
  • A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of severe pertussis with complications.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bordetella pertussisCardiologyMoroccoPediatricsPulmonary hypertension

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