Caffeine might improve outcomes in pertussis by preventing apnoea and decreasing pulmonary complications. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Caffeine to prevent respiratory failure and improve outcome in infant pertussis.
BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Mar 28 ;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 28. PMID: 29592985
John Evered
Pertussis remains a dangerous disease for children around the world, especially for infants less than 6 months old. In this age group, high mortality and morbidity have been linked to the effects of the pertussis toxin, including lymphocytosis, pulmonary hyperviscosity and pulmonary hypertension. This paper reports on an infant with pertussis who received therapeutic caffeine. Caffeine might improve outcomes in pertussis by preventing apnoea, improving respiratory drive and decreasing pulmonary complications.