Infantile Whooping Cough at CHNEAR: Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Aspects

Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that can occur at any age. It is more common and more likely to be fatal in young children, especially infants. The aim of the study was to define the characteristics of whooping cough in infants hospitalized at the Albert Royer Children’s Hospital in Dakar. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study at the Albert Royer National Children’s Hospital in Dakar over a period of two and a half years. All infants under three months of age hospitalized for suspected pertussis confirmed by PCR were included. During the study period, 12 infants were included. The mean age was 55.9 ± 15.7 days, with a male predominance (8/12). Fever was reported in 9 infants at presentation. Half of the patients had not received any pertussis vaccination, and none of the mothers had received a pertussis booster. Paroxysmal cough and respiratory distress were the most frequent presenting symptoms, observed in 11 and 10 infants, respectively. Most patients were admitted between 4 and 7 days after symptom onset. Hypoxemia was present in 10 infants. Hyperleukocytosis was observed in more than two-thirds of cases (10/12), with a predominantly lymphocytic profile in 75% of patients on the initial complete blood count. PCR testing for Bordetella pertussis was positive in all cases. The mean duration of oxygen therapy was 10.8 ± 7.1 days. All infants required respiratory support, most commonly nebulization with 3% hypertonic saline and salbutamol. Macrolide-based antibiotic therapy was administered to 10 infants. Complications occurred in 3 cases. The outcome was favorable in 11 infants. However, more than two-thirds of patients (10/12) had a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks after hospital discharge. This study clearly shows that whooping cough has become rare but is still present, especially in developing countries. It has a greater impact on young infants due to their immature immune system. It can be prevented through a vaccination strategy called cocooning, which aims to protect the youngest infants in particular.