Pertussis and fatal pulmonary hypertension: a discouraged entity.

Fatal myocardial failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension is reported in 5 young infants who presented with Bordetella pertussis infection. All cases showed severe leukocytosis. Three of the 5 patients died early despite intensive management. The autopsy revealed signs of pulmonary hypertension. In addition to acquiring further knowledge of its pathogenesis, it is necessary to develop some new therapeutic approaches to Bordetella pertussis infection in susceptible populations.