A cross-sectional study to assess the impact of the re-emergence of pertussis in children in a tertiary care hospital.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/t48tmp42Keywords:
Pertussis, Re-emergence, Paediatric infectious diseases, Vaccination gaps, Laboratory diagnosis, Bordetella pertussisAbstract
Background
Despite decades of vaccine implementation, pertussis remains a significant global threat, particularly among infants and young children. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum, immunisation status, and diagnostic confirmation of pertussis in a pediatric cohort at a tertiary care hospital in India.
Methods
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted over a two-month period (Nov–Dec 2023) at a government tertiary hospital in Hyderabad. Children aged ≤12 years presenting with prolonged cough suggestive of pertussis were enrolled consecutively. Clinical assessment, immunisation history, and laboratory investigations, including culture, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and anti-pertussis toxin IgG serology, were performed to confirm the diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and categorical analyses were used to interpret demographic, clinical, and diagnostic data.
Results
A total of 32 children were clinically diagnosed with suspected pertussis, with 93.8% being under five years of age. The most common symptom was paroxysmal cough (81.25%). Immunisation gaps were evident, with 90.6% partially vaccinated and 9.4% unvaccinated. Laboratory confirmation was limited, with culture positivity at 9.4%, PCR positivity at 6.25%, and serology confirming 6.25% of cases. Additionally, 90.6% of cases exhibited elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts, and 53.1% had raised C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. These findings underscore both the vulnerability of incompletely vaccinated children and the diagnostic constraints in real-world settings.
Conclusion
The resurgence of pertussis in partially or unvaccinated children reflects critical lapses in immunisation coverage and underutilization of confirmatory diagnostics. Low sensitivity of standard tests and atypical clinical presentations complicate early recognition. This study highlights the urgent need to reinforce booster strategies, consider maternal immunisation, and enhance diagnostic infrastructure in tertiary care settings to support effective disease surveillance and timely management of paediatric pertussis in India.
Recommendations
Strengthen childhood and maternal pertussis immunisation, improve booster uptake, and expand PCR-based diagnostics for early detection.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Bunga Harshita, Dr. Bunga Babu Ratnakar, Dr. Prathyusha Yellamelli, Dr. Shilpa Nandru (Author)
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