Abstract:

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of pertussis syndrome in infants, and to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. MethodsA total of 68 infants with pertussis syndrome aged under 3 years old treated in the Emergency Ward of Jiangxi Children's Hospital from December 2017 to December 2018 were chosen as the research subjects. Among them, 32 cases were ≤6 months, 36 cases were >6 months; 50 cases were mild cases, and 18 cases were severe cases. Clinical data were compared among the groups. ResultsThe peak incidence was in winter and spring. All patients were admitted to hospital with cough as the chief complaint. In the group of infants under 6 months old, the number of cases of facial flushing, cyanosis after cough, chicken-like echo and severe cases, and white blood cell count in routine blood testing were higher than those in the group of infants over 6 months old; the cases whose spastic cough disappeared in one week were fewer than the group of infants over 6 months, and the hospitalization time was longer; the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05). The severe group was significantly younger than the mild group (P<0.01). The incidence of cyanosis after cough, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux, the incidence of mixed virus infection, the hospitalization time and the routine white blood cell count in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild group; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The hospitalization time of 68 children was 3 to 26 days, and the average hospitalization time was 9.02 days. After anti-infective, aerosol inhalation and supportive treatment, 36 patients (52.9%) were cured and discharged from hospitals, 30 patients (44.1%) had clinical symptoms improved, and 2 patients (2.9%) were further treated in PICU due to exacerbation.ConclusionPertussis syndrome is more common in infants and young children, paroxysmal spastic cough is a common manifestation, and the clinical manifestations in children under 6 months who have pertussis syndrome are more typical; the cases combined with gastroesophageal reflux, mixed infection, and marked increase in white blood cell count need to be alert to the possibility of developing into serious cases.

Key words:

Pertussis syndrome, Clinical features, Infants