Pertussis is characterized by intense, prolonged coughing in children often followed by a distinctive whooping sound on inspiration. However, the clinical manifestations and natural course of pertussis in disabled children are largely unknown. We experienced a case of pertussis in a disabled girl who had previously undergone a tracheostomy and laryngotracheal separation. She presented with increased tracheal secretions and required hospitalization but did not develop a cough. Pertussis was suspected from the sputum Gram stain, which revealed numerous, short gram-negative rods that did not grow on chocolate agar. A nucleic acid amplification test was positive for Bordetella pertussis and the patient improved on azithromycin. Pertussis may present without its cardinal symptoms in disabled children.
【저자키워드】 tracheostomy, pertussis, Whooping cough, Disabled children,