[Current situation and research progress on severe pertussis and death in infants and young children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Pertussis (whooping cough) continues to be a global health issue, particularly affecting infants and young children.
• Reported pertussis cases are increasing in many regions, with surveillance systems often underestimating disease severity and mortality.
• Infants and young children are the most vulnerable to severe pertussis complications and fatalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current global and domestic landscape of severe and fatal pertussis cases in infants and young children.
• To analyze the pathogenesis and identify key risk factors associated with severe pertussis and mortality in this demographic.
• To provide evidence-based references for healthcare professionals and policymakers in China.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of severe and fatal pertussis cases in infants and young children.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on pertussis incidence and trends.
• Examination of identified risk factors for severe disease and death.

Main Results:

• Young age, comorbidities, and lack of vaccination are primary risk factors for severe pertussis.
• Elevated white blood cell count and pulmonary artery hypertension are significant predictors of mortality in severe cases.
• Passive surveillance systems frequently underreport the true burden of severe pertussis and associated deaths.

Conclusions:

• Severe pertussis and related deaths in infants and young children demand urgent public health attention.
• Understanding pathogenesis and risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention and management strategies.
• This review offers critical insights for healthcare providers and decision-makers in China to address pertussis challenges.