Affiliations: Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's National Medical Center and The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Yinn K. Ooi, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20010-2970, USA. Tel.: +1 215 512 1258; Fax: +1 202 476 4741; E-mail: yooi@cnmc.org
Abstract: Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a severe infection when affecting young children. Infants in the neonatal period are especially vulnerable, since they have not received vaccination, and have an immature immune system. We report a case of a neonate who was diagnosed with pertussis complicated by multiple episodes of apneas, bradycardia and desaturation events. The infant was critically ill and was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but subsequently improved while receiving only conventional respiratory support and was discharged home with an overall good outcome.
Keywords: Whooping cough, full term, respiratory support
