A retrospective study of acute pertussis in Hasan Sadikin Hospital–Indonesia

ObjectiveTo describe the representation of pertussis diagnosis in children.MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed on pediatric pertussis and pertussis-like syndrome registry for children <14 years of age documented from October 2008 to December 2014 in Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Indonesia. Demographic data, signs and symptoms at presentation, case definition (probable, confirmed), possible pertussis contact, pertussis vaccination status, results of Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) culture, complications, and outcome were recorded.ResultsSixty-one probable and two confirmed pertussis were documented. Male and female ratio was 1:1, mostly presented with shortness of breath, 24 (38%) subjects had posttussive vomiting, 10 (16%) had whooping-cough. Ten patients (16%) were reported to have adult possible pertussis contact. Only 2 infants had previous pertussis vaccination. All subjects presented in the second week of illness were all diagnosed as bronchopneumonia but two. The mean age was 6 months, ranging from 0–50 months. One subject required mechanical ventilation. B. pertussis culture was performed only in 35 (56%) subjects but positive only in two. There were no fatal cases, 55 (87%) including the subject who need mechanical ventilation had good outcome.ConclusionsMostly patients were admitted on paroxysmal phase when no more active B. pertussis could be found from nasopharyngeal secret. A rigorous history taking particularly excessive cough, posttussive vomitting, and pertussis vaccination status need to be taken into account.