Researchers collecting data on fatal pertussis cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System from 2000 to 2005 noted a gradual, increasing trend among infants younger than 1.

Tejpratap S.P. Tiwari, MD, of the division of bacterial disease at the NCIRD and colleagues identified 140 pertussis-related deaths from 2000 to 2005 compared with 103 from 1990 to 1999. The source for most of the fatal cases was a parent or household member with pertussis.

“A tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine should be given to parents of newborns and other household members aged 11 to 64 years and who have never received a dose of TDaP to protect newborns who are too young to be vaccinated against pertussis,” Tiwari said.

“Similarly, TDaP should be given to people who are or who anticipate being in contact with newborns or infants who have not completed their primary series of TDaP, such as health care workers or day care providers.”

Anaphylaxis from food underreported, misdiagnosed
Food-induced anaphylaxis is often underreported, frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated, according to Stacie Jones, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

AHA: Consider ECG before
ADHD therapy
According to a recent statement from the American Heart Association, it is reasonable to consider adding an electrocardiogram to the physical examination and history before prescribing medication to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Influenza vaccine efficacy in one group about 44% in 2007-2008
Influenza was detected in 191 patients; 75% of cases were type A.