Patient selection:
(1) infant presenting with uncomplicated pertussis (Bordetella pertussis or parapertussis)
(2) subsequently admitted to the hospital (suggesting a sicker child)
Complicated pertussis consists of one or more of the following:
(1) apnea
(2) pneumonia
(3) seizures
(4) encephalopathy
Predictors of complications from multivariate analysis:
(1) age less than 60 days (less than 2 months)
(2) duration of cough less than 7 days (less than 1 week)
(3) not giving a macrolide antibiotic prior to hospital admission (giving the antibiotic reduces the risk)
(4) parental intervention required prior to arrival to the Emergency Department (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tactile stimulation, other)
(5) supplemental oxygen required prior to hospital admission
(6) admission to emergency room observation unit, intermediate care unit or pediatric ICU
Additional factors identified on the univariate analysis:
(1) color change
