A pediatric health problem increasing with migration: pertussis reloading

IF 4.3 2区医学 Q1 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

International Journal of Infectious Diseases Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108040

Sefika Aldas, Murat Ersoy, Berfin Ozgokce Ozmen, Asuman Demirhan, Ali Tunc, Sanliay Sahin

{"title":"A pediatric health problem increasing with migration: pertussis reloading","authors":"Sefika Aldas, Murat Ersoy, Berfin Ozgokce Ozmen, Asuman Demirhan, Ali Tunc, Sanliay Sahin","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108040","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Bordetella pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection affecting infants, particularly those in vulnerable populations. This study investigates the increase in pertussis cases following refugee influxes and natural disasters.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study analyzed 28 infants hospitalized in our hospital's pediatric ward due to whooping cough between December 27, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Demographics, vaccination status, clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 28 infants, 60.7% were male and 39.3% were of Syrian origin; 42.9% were unvaccinated. The mean age was 3.46 ± 3.48 months, and median hospitalization was 11 days. All presented with respiratory distress. Paroxysmal cough (96.4%), feeding difficulty (53.6%), and fever (32.1%) were common. Convulsions occurred in 10.7%, and apnea in 3.6%. B. pertussis was confirmed by PCR in all cases. Chest radiographs showed pneumonic infiltrates in 85.7%. Macrolide antibiotics were given to all. Leukocytosis (15,000-30,000/µL) was observed in 53.6%, extreme leukocytosis in 7.1%, and lymphocytosis in 64.3%. Respiratory support was needed in 78.6%. Four required ICU care; two intubated patients died of multiple organ failure.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Pertussis remains a serious health threat, especially among unvaccinated and displaced infants. Strengthening immunization programs and ensuring early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce disease burden.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"160 ","pages":"Article 108040"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971225002620","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INFECTIOUS DISEASES","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Bordetella pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection affecting infants, particularly those in vulnerable populations. This study investigates the increase in pertussis cases following refugee influxes and natural disasters.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed 28 infants hospitalized in our hospital's pediatric ward due to whooping cough between December 27, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Demographics, vaccination status, clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Of the 28 infants, 60.7% were male and 39.3% were of Syrian origin; 42.9% were unvaccinated. The mean age was 3.46 ± 3.48 months, and median hospitalization was 11 days. All presented with respiratory distress. Paroxysmal cough (96.4%), feeding difficulty (53.6%), and fever (32.1%) were common. Convulsions occurred in 10.7%, and apnea in 3.6%. B. pertussis was confirmed by PCR in all cases. Chest radiographs showed pneumonic infiltrates in 85.7%. Macrolide antibiotics were given to all. Leukocytosis (15,000-30,000/µL) was observed in 53.6%, extreme leukocytosis in 7.1%, and lymphocytosis in 64.3%. Respiratory support was needed in 78.6%. Four required ICU care; two intubated patients died of multiple organ failure.

Conclusion

Pertussis remains a serious health threat, especially among unvaccinated and displaced infants. Strengthening immunization programs and ensuring early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce disease burden.

查看原文本刊更多论文

儿童健康问题增加与移民：百日咳重装。

目的：百日咳博德泰拉是一种高度传染性的呼吸道感染，影响婴儿，特别是易感人群。本研究调查了难民涌入和自然灾害后百日咳病例的增加。方法：回顾性分析2023年12月27日至2024年4月30日在我院儿科病房因百日咳住院的28例患儿。回顾了人口统计、疫苗接种状况、临床发现、治疗和结果。结果：28例新生儿中男性占60.7%，叙利亚裔占39.3%；42.9%未接种疫苗。平均年龄3.46±3.48个月，平均住院时间11天。都有呼吸窘迫的症状常见的有阵发性咳嗽（96.4%）、进食困难（53.6%）和发热（32.1%）。惊厥发生率为10.7%，呼吸暂停发生率为3.6%。所有病例均经PCR证实为百日咳。胸片示肺浸润85.7%。所有患者均给予大环内酯类抗生素。白细胞增多（15000 ~ 30000 /μL）占53.6%，极端白细胞增多占7.1%，淋巴细胞增多占64.3%。78.6%需要呼吸支持。4例需要ICU护理；两名插管患者死于多器官衰竭。结论：百日咳仍然是严重的健康威胁，特别是在未接种疫苗和流离失所的婴儿中。加强免疫规划和确保早期诊断和治疗对于减轻疾病负担至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

International Journal of Infectious Diseases 医学-传染病学

CiteScore

18.90

自引率

2.40%

发文量

1020

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID) Publisher: International Society for Infectious Diseases Publication Frequency: Monthly Type: Peer-reviewed, Open Access Scope: Publishes original clinical and laboratory-based research. Reports clinical trials, reviews, and some case reports. Focuses on epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and control of infectious diseases. Emphasizes diseases common in under-resourced countries.