[Evolution and treatment of 19 cases of pertussis in infants under 4 months of age].

We present 19 cases of pertussis in infants under 4 months of age. In all cases, Bordetella pertussis was isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs. A whooping cough, cyanotic episodes and eating disturbances were the most characteristic clinical findings. Treatment included: supportive care, salbutamol, beclomethasone, and josamycin. Lymphocyte counts higher than 40,000/mm2 were associated with a greater severity of illness. The most frequent complications were: recurrent cough and pneumonia. None of the patients died.