MALIGNANT PERTUSSIS IN NEONATES: MANY MORE MILES TO GO..!

Dr. Nisha Dudhat

Abstract


Pertussis in a young infant is often fatal as it can easily be misdiagnosed and because infants have weak immune systems before they receive routine
infant immunization. The so called “whooping cough” can cause respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and disease progression leading to increased
morbidity or mortality. Malignant pertussis is characterized by severe respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, leucocytosis and death. Herein,
we report the case of a 26-day-old male newborn who presented with cough-cold and difficulties in breathing. After admission, her cough worsened
and was accompanied by persistent hypoxemia and apneic spells. With worsening clinical condition, seizures were noticed on second day. With
provisional diagnosis of Malignant Pertussis, injectable azithromycin was added. Double volume exchange transfusion was performed.
Unfortunately, patient died from pulmonary hypertension, intractable seizures and multi-organ failure. We suggest that all pregnant women should
receive pertussis vaccinations in the third trimester of pregnancy.


Keywords


pertussis, child, severe leucocytosis, pulmonary hypertension, immunization, exchange transfusion

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