Summary
We prospectively followed 725 children under 2 years of age with laboratory-diagnosed Bordetella pertussis infection to investigate the hospitalization rate and complications. Diagnosis was made by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from nasopharyngeal swabs in 11,016 children who presented with ≥ 7 days of cough at 63 pediatric practices in Germany. Of these children, 33 (4.5%) were hospitalized at a mean age of 4.8 months (range, 17 days to 19.5 months). Complications occurred in 16 (48%) of the 33 patients. Pneumonia developed in two (6%) children and a convulsion was observed in one (3%). Intensive care monitoring was required for 23 (70%) children. Further complications were bradycardia (21%), apnea (12%), conjunctivitis (12%), loss of weight (12%), otitis media (6%), atelectasis (3%) and dehydration (3%). Children aged 6–24 months who had not received any dose of pertussis vaccine had a ten-fold increased risk of hospitalization compared to those who had been partially or fully immunized (p < 0.05). Pertussis immunization should be given at an early point in time and completely in order to prevent severe courses of pertussis and hospitalization in young children.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: May 4, 1999 · Revision accepted: January 20, 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stojanov, S., Liese, J. & Belohradsky, B. Hospitalization and Complications in Children under 2 Years of Age with Bordetella pertussis Infection. Infection 28, 106–110 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s150100050056
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s150100050056