›Pediatric dosing
›40-50 mg/kg/day divided four times daily for 14 days
›Limitations
›More gastrointestinal side effects; less preferred
›Risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) in neonates
›Avoid erythromycin estolate due to hepatotoxicity risk
›Alternative: TMP-SMX
›Indication
›Macrolide intolerance or allergy
›Dosing
›8 mg/kg/day of TMP component divided twice daily for 14 days
›Adult: TMP 160 mg/SMX 800 mg twice daily for 14 days
›Avoid in
›Infants <2 months (risk of kernicterus)
›Pregnant individuals near term
›Indications for PEP
›High-risk household contacts
›Infants <12 months
›Pregnant individuals in third trimester
›Immunocompromised contacts
›Close contacts of high-risk individuals
›Same antibiotic regimens as treatment
›Azithromycin preferred for PEP
›Initiate within 21 days of last exposure to be effective
›Respiratory support
›Supplemental oxygen for SpO2 <95%
›Nasal cannula or face mask titrated to SpO2 ≥95%
›High-flow nasal cannula for refractory hypoxia
›Minimize cough triggers
›Calm environment; avoid suction or stimulation that provokes paroxysms
›Small, frequent feeds to reduce coughing triggers
›Hydration and nutrition
›Oral rehydration if tolerated
›Small frequent feeds in infants to reduce posttussive vomiting
›IV fluid resuscitation for dehydration when oral intake inadequate
›Nasogastric feeds
›If oral intake insufficient in hospitalized infants
Ineffective treatments (avoid)
›Agents without proven benefit
›Corticosteroids
›No benefit demonstrated for symptom control or course shortening
›Cochrane review 2014 found no evidence of benefit
›Bronchodilators (salbutamol/albuterol)
›No proven benefit in pertussis
›Do not reduce cough frequency or severity
›Antihistamines (diphenhydramine)
›No benefit for cough suppression in pertussis
›Pertussis immune globulin
›No proven benefit for clinical management
›Cough suppressants
›Ineffective; cough is toxin-mediated, not from ongoing bacterial infection
Severe and fulminant pertussis management
›ICU-level interventions
›Mechanical ventilation
›For refractory hypoxia or apnea requiring ventilatory support
›Avoid high positive pressure that worsens pulmonary hypertension
›Exchange blood transfusion
›Consideration for WBC >50,000-100,000/μL with pulmonary hypertension
›Reduces leukocyte-mediated pulmonary vascular occlusion
›Inotropic support
›Dopamine or dobutamine for right heart failure
›Norepinephrine for vasodilatory shock
›Pulmonary hypertension management
›Inhaled nitric oxide in refractory cases
›ECMO considered in extreme refractory cases
›Opportunistic vaccination
›Tdap for all patients ≥11 years who have not received it
›Single dose replacing one Td booster
›Regardless of interval since prior Td
›Pregnancy
›Tdap at 27-36 weeks gestation each pregnancy
›Provides passive antibody transfer to neonate
›Cocooning strategy
›All close contacts of newborns vaccinated with Tdap if not already
›Reduces infant exposure to pertussis in early weeks of life