[Clinical case of the month. Fatal pertussis infection in a 2 month old infant].

The incidence of B pertussis has increased by 50% from the 1980s to the 1990s, primarily among those aged 4 months and younger. Worldwide, pertussis is a significant cause of infectious mortality with 40 million cases and 400.000 deaths. Most of these cases and deaths occur in infancy. Symptoms vary from common cold in adults to respiratory distress in infants. Non immune babies with respiratory disease and significant lymphocytosis should be considered to have pertussis until proven otherwise. The onset of severe pulmonary hypertension during B pertussis pneumonia is frequenly rapid and relentless. Exchange-transfusion can be life-saving by reducing the leucocyte mass. Classic vaccination or boosters given to adults and adolescents would reduce the spread from parents tho infants, but a new vaccination schedule is under investigation at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to give baby's first pertussis vaccination at birth?