Clinical and Laboratory Features of Severe Bordetella pertussis in Infants

Overview

This study investigates the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 70 hospitalized infants with severe Bordetella pertussis in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. It highlights significant differences in leukocyte counts and clinical features between survivors and non-survivors.

Background

Pertussis remains a critical health issue for infants, particularly those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Despite vaccination efforts, outbreaks persist, leading to severe morbidity and mortality. Understanding the clinical presentation and outcomes of severe pertussis is essential for improving management and prevention strategies in vulnerable populations.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Median age of hospitalized infants was 3 months, with 46.4% aged < 3 months.
• Non-survivors had significantly higher leukocyte counts and inflammatory markers compared to survivors.
• All fatal cases involved severe pulmonary hypertension requiring aggressive interventions.
• Coexisting conditions such as congenital heart disease were more common in non-survivors.
• Therapeutic efforts were more prevalent in non-survivors but did not improve outcomes.

Clinical Implications

The findings highlight the importance of early identification of high-risk infants and the need for prompt intervention.

Conclusion

Critical pertussis poses a significant risk to unimmunized infants.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Multiplex PCR-based epidemiology of viral acute respiratory infections in hospitalized children: implications for antibiotic stewardship in Saudi Arabia
2. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Evaluating Case Definitions for Respiratory Illness Surveillance to Identify Bordetella pertussis in Children Under 5 in South Africa, 2017–2023
3. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2026 -- Clinical profile and risk factors of severe adenoviral infections among hospitalised children in South India: a cross-sectional study
4. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Preliminary Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of the 2024 Pediatric Pertussis Outbreak: A Retrospective Analysis
5. CDC -- Treatment of Pertussis | Whooping Cough
6. CDC -- Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations | Whooping Cough
7. PubMed -- Pertussis infection in critically ill infants: meta-analysis and validation of a mortality score
8. BMC Pediatrics -- Therapeutic leukapheresis with severe pertussis: evaluating efficacy, feasibility, and safety
9. CDC -- Treatment of Pertussis | Whooping Cough
10. CDC -- Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations | Whooping Cough
11. Pertussis infection in critically ill infants: meta-analysis and validation of a mortality score - PubMed
12. Therapeutic leukapheresis with severe pertussis: evaluating efficacy, feasibility, and safety | BMC Pediatrics | Springer Nature Link