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Pertussis incidence highest among infants younger than 2 months
ATLANTA — Research presented at the 2017 Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference demonstrates that the age group most severely affected by pertussis are infants younger than 2 months of age, comprising 38.7% of all pertussis cases between 2000 and 2015.
Researchers also suggest that although pediatric pertussis cases resulting in hospitalization and death have declined, there is a possibility that this is caused by a higher rate of reporting in non-severe cases.
“It’s essential for clinicians to know the signs and stages of pertussis as well as be aware that other household members, especially those under the age of one, could be at risk if someone has pertussis,” Catherine Bozio, PhD, MPH, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC, told Infectious Diseases in Children.
To explain the current prominence of pertussis and the recent recommendations to provide pertussis vaccination to all pregnant women, Bozio and colleagues depicted the trends of the disease between 2000 and 2015. Children included in the analysis were those reported to have infant pertussis, which were split into four age groups: younger than 2 months, 2 to younger than 4 months, 4 to younger than 6 months, and 6 to younger than 12 months.
The researchers used National Center for Health Statistics population estimates to calculate incidence per 100,000. Cases with known outcomes were utilized to compute case-fatality ratios (CFRs) and the number of children with pertussis who were hospitalized, and comparative percent changes were totaled.
Of the 48,909 infant pertussis cases reported between 2000 and 2015, 255 resulted in death. A 47.6% decrease was observed in total cases within this time frame (64.5% in 2000 vs. 33.8% in 2015), and the largest decreases were seen in children aged 4 to younger than 6 months (-5.1%) as well as 6 to younger than 12 months (-5.9%).
Children younger than 2 months contributed to 38.7% of all cases and demonstrated the lowest decline in cases (-1.5%). Although these children accounted for the highest CFR (1.6%), CFRs for children younger than 2 and those 2 to younger than 4 months had significant decreases over time.
“Although pertussis cases have been increasing in the United States, there is a way to help protect infants — those who are at the highest risk of death and complications — from this disease,” Bozio said. “Vaccinating pregnant women and children is the best way to prevent this disease in infants.”— by Katherine Bortz.
Reference:
Bozio C, et al. Abstract. Presented at: The Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference; April 24-27, 2017; Atlanta, GA.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures