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Neurological complications in hospitalized patients with pertussis: a 15-year Sicilian experience
G Incorpora1, L Pavone, E Parano
1Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Catania, Italy.
Insights
Unvaccinated children with pertussis (whooping cough) can develop neurological issues like seizures and encephalopathy. Fortunately, serious permanent neurological damage was not observed in this study of hospitalized patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
- Vaccination is the primary method of preventing pertussis.
- Neurological complications can occur in severe cases of pertussis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and nature of neurological complications in unvaccinated patients with pertussis.
- To assess the long-term neurological outcomes in hospitalized pertussis patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with pertussis.
- Data collection on patient demographics, vaccination status, clinical presentation, and neurological complications.
- Analysis of neurological sequelae in patients requiring hospitalization.
Main Results:
- 340 unvaccinated patients were diagnosed with pertussis between 1979 and 1994.
- 14 patients (4.1%) developed neurological complications, including febrile and afebrile seizures and encephalopathy.
- No serious permanent neurological sequelae were observed in the hospitalized patients.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis infection in unvaccinated individuals can lead to significant neurological complications.
- While serious permanent neurological damage was not observed in this cohort, prompt medical attention is crucial.
- This study highlights the importance of pertussis vaccination in preventing severe disease and its potential neurological consequences.
Abstract:
Three hundred forty patients were diagnosed with pertussis infection at the Pediatric Clinic of the University of Catania, Sicily during the period 1979-1994. None of these patients had been previously vaccinated. Fourteen developed neurological complications at some point in their course, which took the form of seizures (both febrile and afebrile) and, in some cases, encephalopathy. Serious permanent neurological sequelae were not observed in this series of patients though they had pertussis severe enough to require hospitalization.