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Increased risk of reported pertussis and hospitalization associated with pertussis in low birth weight children
1Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) infants face a higher risk of pertussis (whooping cough) and hospitalization for the disease compared to normal birth weight (NBW) infants. Further strategies are needed to protect LBW infants from pertussis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis, or whooping cough, remains a significant public health concern.
- Infants born with low birth weight (LBW) may have unique vulnerabilities to infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if low birth weight (LBW) children have an increased risk of pertussis and its complications within their first two years of life compared to normal birth weight (NBW) children.
Main Methods:
- A secondary analysis utilized statewide data from Wisconsin (1981-1990).
- Researchers identified pertussis cases in children under two years old and linked them to birth weight and hospitalization records.
- Relative risks for pertussis and complication frequencies were compared between LBW and NBW groups.
Main Results:
- Of 549 pertussis cases, 49 occurred in LBW children.
- LBW children showed a significantly higher likelihood of reported pertussis (RR 1.86).
- While pneumonia and seizure rates were similar, LBW children with pertussis were more likely to be hospitalized (RR 1.40).
Conclusions:
- Low birth weight is a risk factor for pertussis and associated hospitalization.
- Current infant vaccination schedules are crucial.
- Additional preventative measures are necessary to reduce pertussis risk in LBW infants.
Objectives:
To determine whether low birth weight (LBW) children are at greater risk of reported pertussis and complications of pertussis in the first 2 years of life than are normal birth weight (NBW) children.
Study Design:
We performed a secondary analysis of three data sets containing statewide information among Wisconsin residents for children born between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1990. We identified all reported cases of pertussis among children younger than 2 years of age and linked this information with birth certificate data and hospitalization data to determine the relative risk of reported pertussis in LBW compared with NBW children. We also compared the frequency of reported complications of pertussis in LBW and NBW children.
Results:
We analyzed reports of 549 pertussis cases; 49 cases occurred in LBW children. The LBW children were significantly more likely to have reported pertussis than were NBW children (relative risk 1.86; 95% confidence interval 1.33, 2.38). The rates of pneumonia and seizures did not differ among LBW and NBW children; however, LBW children with reported pertussis were significantly more likely to be hospitalized than were NBW children (relative risk 1.40; 95% confidence interval 1.11, 1.69).
Conclusion:
In addition to timely vaccination of all infants, efforts are needed to determine additional ways to reduce the risk of pertussis among LBW infants and children.