New Delhi: Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, can be life-threatening in young infants, according to a recent study that highlights the urgent need for maternal vaccination during pregnancy.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. It causes severe, uncontrollable coughing fits that can be followed by a distinctive “whooping” sound when the person breathes in. While it can affect individuals of all ages, infants are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
“Pertussis symptoms often present differently in infants,” explained Dr Caitlin Li, an infectious diseases specialist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Assistant Professor of Paediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
“The classic ‘whoop’ may be absent, but episodes of apnoea, temporary pauses in breathing, are common and potentially dangerous.”
The study also found that infants with pertussis may exhibit extremely high white blood cell counts (leucocytosis), a condition that can be misdiagnosed as cancer or other non-infectious illnesses. Researchers caution that such elevated white blood cell levels in young children should raise suspicion for pertussis.
Published in the journal Paediatrics, the study strongly advocates for maternal vaccination during pregnancy as a key strategy to protect newborns.
“Given the high risk of complications in infants, vaccinating mothers during pregnancy is essential to shielding newborns from this potentially fatal illness,” said Dr Li “Widespread vaccination is also vital in protecting the broader community.”
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a series of pertussis vaccine doses at 2, 4, 6, and 15–18 months, and again at 4–6 years of age. A booster dose is advised at 11–12 years, with additional catch-up doses by age 18 if needed.
The CDC also recommends that all pregnant individuals receive the pertussis vaccine, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation, to pass protective antibodies to the unborn child.
The study further emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Prompt use of antibiotics can ease symptoms if administered early in the illness and can help prevent the spread of infection, even if started later.
Health experts urge parents and caregivers to be vigilant about symptoms, ensure timely vaccinations, and consult a healthcare provider immediately if pertussis is suspected.