Pediatric Pertussis in Southeastern Türkiye: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Immunization Gaps (2022–2024)

Introduction: Pertussis, is an infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis that affects individuals across all age groups. It is particularly severe and potentially fatal in infants. This study evaluates the demographic and clinical characteristics of 82 patients diagnosed with pertussis. Materials and Methods: Over a three-year period, 82 patients with laboratory-confirmed pertussis admitted to Mardin Research Hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they presented with a cough lasting 3 to 8 weeks. Cases were identified based on the World Health Organization clinical case definition for pertussis. Results: A total of 82 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of pertussis were evaluated at our clinic. The median age at admission was 2.5 months. Fifty-five patients (67.1%) were unvaccinated. Paroxysmal cough was the most prevalent symptom, observed in 76 patients (92.6%). Twenty-six patients (31.7%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to respiratory failure. Among the ICU admissions, 21 patients were unvaccinated. Two patients experienced convulsions: a 40-day-old infant with hyperleukocytosis and a 7-month-old infant with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Both patients died. The highest number of cases was reported in February, with 14 patients. Conclusion: Our study highlights the high risk of exposure to Bordetella pertussis in infants younger than 2 months. To reduce the community transmission of Bordetella pertussis, Implementing strategies to address barriers to vaccination, such as vaccine hesitancy and limited access to healthcare, is critical to reducing community transmission of Bordetella pertussis.