Empirical therapy for suspected Bordetella pertussis late-onset CAP in term neonates and CAP in children younger than 2 months
If Bordetella pertussis is suspected (eg children who have been in contact with a patient with pertussis, children with paroxysmal cough associated with cyanosis or apnoea) in term neonates with late-onset CAP (occurring more than 72 hours after birth) and children younger than 2 months with CAP, perform nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) (eg polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) on a posterior nasopharyngeal swab1 or nasopharyngeal aspirate. While awaiting the results of NAAT, add azithromycin to the empirical therapy regimen; use:
azithromycin 10 mg/kg intravenously, daily. If B. pertussis is isolated, see Pertussis for ongoing management. azithromycin