Eight infants in California died during the state's current pertussis epidemic. A state review now reveals that the infants had been seen by doctors several times before they were accurately diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough. According to experts, the pertussis deaths stemmed from misdiagnosis.

Dr. John Talarico of the California Department of Public Health reported that some of the infants were treated for mild upper respiratory infection or nasal congestion. By the time an accurate diagnosis was made, the infants were in severe respiratory distress and it was too late to prevent their deaths.

University of California Los Angeles professor and pertussis expert Dr. James D. Cherry reviewed all eight cases and concluded that the doctors did not consider pertussis until it was too late. Although he noted that diagnosis of pertussis is difficult, he stated that these cases should have been diagnosed earlier. Further, he accused some healthcare providers of not taking the disease seriously enough after the correct diagnosis. Dr. Cherry asserted that, in his opinion, the deaths stemmed from delayed hospitalization.

All eight infants who died were under three months old.

California doctors have been urged by health officials to test for pertussis in any infant under the age of six months who is experiencing troubles breathing. An early diagnosis combined with antibiotic treatment can keep the infection from becoming serious and leading to death. 

The current pertussis outbreak is the worst that California has seen since 1958. So far, 3,600 cases of pertussis were reported this year in the state, representing a seven-fold increase from 2009.

Source: Vaccine News Daily "Expert says Calif. whooping cough death stemmed from misdiagnosis" 9/8/10