title: Severe pertussis and hyperleukocytosis: is it time to change for exchange?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pertussis is an important cause of infant death worldwide and continues to be a public health concern even in countries with high vaccination coverage. Severe (critical) pertussis with hyperleukocytosis is a severe form of the disease with up to 80% mortality rate. Attempts have been reported to reduce the white blood cell burden by exchange transfusion (ET) with conflicting conclusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of critical pertussis in a neonate who was treated with ET, in view of a comprehensive literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient was discharged without any sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ET should be considered in all infants suffering from critical pertussis and hyperleukocytosis, even in secondary care community hospitals.
authors: Pediatric Hematology Clinic and Coagulation Service, Western Galilee Hospital, Naharia, Israel; Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Kuperman
authors: Yoav
authors: Y
authors: Hoffmann
authors: Danny
authors: D
authors: Glikman
authors: Husein
authors: H
authors: Dabbah
authors: Zeev
authors: Z
authors: Zonis
mesh_terms: D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000628:therapy*