Table 2 Clinical characteristics of the 19 infants with pertussis and the 19 infants with RSV bronchiolitis

Paroxysmal cough

12 (63.2%)

0 (0.0%)

0.001

Cough at admission median in days (range)

7 (0-20)

3 (0-15)

0.09

Apnea

10 (52.6%)

2 (10.5%)

0.006

Cyanosis

10 (52.6%)

2 (10.5%)

0.006

Fever (> 37.5°C)

3 (15.8%)

13 (68.4%)

0.001

Chest sounds

0.005

  Rales

7 (36.8%)

11 (57.9%)

  Wheeze

3 (15.8%)

2 (10.5%)

  Rales and Wheeze

1 (5.3%)

6 (31.6%)

  Negative

8 (42.1%)

0 (0.0%)

Severity score median (range)

3 (0-6)

5 (0-7)

n.s.

Hospitalization length median in days (range)

7 (2-15)

5 (1-27)

n.s.

Complications

n.s.

  Bradycardia

2 (10.5%)

1 (5.3%)

  Respiratory

3 (15.8%)

1 (5.3%)

  Total

5 (26.6%)

2 (10.5%)