• Haiyang Zhang, Xiao Wang, Han Xia, and Zhongqiang Liu.
• Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Feb 22; 102 (8): e33080e33080.

RationalePertussis is an acute respiratory infection that often occurs in the pediatric population, especially in infants under 3 months old. Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of pertussis, which can lead to pneumonia, encephalopathy, and pulmonary hypertension, causing death in severe cases. Therefore, an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of the pathogen is essential for effective treatment.Patient ConcernsWe report a case of 2-month-old male infant admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of West China Second University due to hoarse cough for 7 days, accompanied by a crowing-like echo, fever and listlessness, occasional nonprojectile vomiting with anorexia, shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, cyanosis of the lips, and convulsions. B pertussis was identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in blood and cerebrospinal fluid and polymerase chain reaction assay using blood.DiagnosesThe infant was diagnosed with pertussis.InterventionsIntravenous infusion of erythromycin (50 mg/kg/d) for anti-infection and dexamethasone for alleviating intracranial inflammatory reaction were given.OutcomesThe patient was eventually recovered and discharged.LessonsThis case report emphasized the importance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing using cerebrospinal fluid and blood for early diagnosis of pertussis-associated encephalopathy.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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