Outcome of central hypoventilation secondary to childhood pertussis encephalitis in adulthood.

ABSTRACT

We present a rare case of central hypoventilation secondary to pertussis encephalopathy occurring during childhood. The patient was successfully managed by negative pressure ventilation initially until portable non-invasive ventilators became available. The patient was, unfortunately, lost to follow-up. She was reviewed in adulthood following several years of non-compliance to treatment and found asymptomatic despite chronic hypercapnoea.