Severe pertussis pneumonia managed with exchange transfusion

We describe in this case report one month old baby admitted to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with severe pertussis pneumonia. The baby was deteriorating despite being on supportive management including High Frequency Oscillator ventilation (HFOV). However, she showed dramatic improvement after exchange blood transfusion (ET) and was discharged home. We hope that this report will add to the previously published experiences in management of severe pertussis. It will also alert general physicians about pertussis pneumonia and the importance of early referral and abrupt management for a better prognosis.