Clinical analysis of neonatal pertussis in 68 cases / 中国新生儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of neonatal pertussis.Method From January 2011 to December 2015,clinical data of newborns with pertussis treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed,including the general information,clinical manifestations,laboratory examinations,treatment and prognosis.Result A total of 68 newborns with pertussis were found during the study period,including 1 case in 2011,5 cases in 2012,1 case in 2013,18 cases in 2014 and 43 cases in 2015.The time needed for diagnosis was 7 to 35 days after onset of symptoms,and 80.9％ (55/68) in 14 days.The predominant manifestation was paroxysmal cough (68 cases,100％).Other common symptoms included flushing in 45 cases (66.2％) and cyanosis with coughing in 40 cases (58.8％).The uncommon symptoms included whooping cough (20 cases,29.4％),wheezing (10 cases,14.7％),fever (3 cases,4.4％) and apnea with decreased heart rate during cough (2 cases,2.9％).12 patients (17.6％) had elevated peripheral white blood cells or lymphocytes.The clinical manifestations didn't disappear despite erythromycin therapy,and the whooping cough continued for 12 to 42 days during the course of disease.22 cases (32.4％) had complications,including pneumonia in 12 cases,myocardial damage in 10 cases,heart failure in 2 cases,respiratory failure in 1 case,atrial tachycardia in 1 case and lung consolidation in 1 case.Conclusion Neonatal pertussis is not uncommon and has a tendency to increase year by year,and it's challenging for early diagnosis.The patients who have a whooping cough without fever should be considered of pertussis until otherwise ruled out.Leukocyte and lymphocyte count are of little value in the diagnosis of this disease.