Pertussis is a potentially life-threatening infection, especially in young infants.Severe pertussis is associated with the need for admission to the intensive care unit.
Reasons for admission to the ICU:
(1) respiratory failure
(1a) requirement for mechanical ventilation
(1b) aspiration pneumonia
(1c) pulmonary hypertension
(1d) severe apnea
(2) cardiovascular collapse, with bradycardia and the need for pressor support
(3) neurologic deterioration which may be associated with seizures and altered mental status
(4) other organ failure
(5) secondary bacterial infection with pneumonia and/or sepsis
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