Objective: To compare and analyze the clinical data of neonatal pertussis and infant pertussis

and to explore the clinical characteristics of neonatal pertussis. Methods: Clinical data of 71 neonates with pertussis (neonate group) and 142 infants with pertussis (infant group) admitted from Apr. 2013 to Jul. 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The incidence of paroxysmal cough

spastic cough

total duration of cough >14 d

vomiting after cough

crowing echo

wheezing

abnormal lymphocytes

and complicated virus infection in neonatal pertussis were lower than those in infant pertussis. The duration of cough before admission was shorter than that in infant pertussis

and the disappearance time of cough and length of stay were longer than those in infant pertussis. History of exposure to respiratory tract infection

apnea

cyanosis

three concave signs

pulmonary rales

respiratory failure

complicated with pneumonia

pulmonary consolidation or atelectasis

complicated with bacterial infection

misdiagnosis rate

oxygen requirement rate and mechanical ventilation rate were higher than those of the infant pertussis

and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Neonatal pertussis is less typical than infant pertussis

yet has more severe clinical symptoms

apnea

bacterial infection

higher oxygen requirement rate

longer length of stay

and higher risk of death. Clinicians should be alert for neonatal pertussis.