Analysis of the Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Pertussis in Children with Different Cough Durations

Objective To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pertussis in children with different cough durations.Methods From January 2021 to October 2022, children with different cough durations who visited 8 hospitals in Shandong Province were enrolled. Pertussis was confirmed by serology and/or nucleic acid testing, and the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pertussis in these children were analyzed.Results Among 1,565 enrolled patients, 348 (22.24%) were diagnosed with pertussis. The detection rate was significantly higher in children with protracted acute cough (42.21%) compared to those with acute cough (16.49%) and chronic cough (19.50%; P < 0.01). In each cough group, patients aged 3 months--< 2 years had a significantly higher rate than other age groups. Non-vaccinated children were most likely to be diagnosed with pertussis. Symptoms such as paroxysmal cough, whoop, and post-tussive emesis or sleep disturbance were more prevalent in patients with pertussis than those without.Conclusions The incidence of pertussis differed in children with varying cough durations, it is highly related to age groups, vaccination status, and symptoms. Early testing for pertussis is highly recommended, especially when accompanied by worsening paroxysmal cough, whoop, and post-tussive emesis, particularly in non-vaccinated children. Enhanced clinical suspicion, timely diagnosis, and vaccination adherence are essential for effective pertussis management and outbreak prevention.