Pertussis in nonimmunized postsurgical biliary atresia.

A case of pertussis in a patient who had undergone hepatic portocholecystostomy for biliary atresia is described. It has been recommended that infants with postsurgical biliary atresia forgo immunizations because of the high incidence of "ascending cholangitis." The patient in this study, however, had two characteristics that decreased her susceptibility to ascending cholangitis. This report suggests that patients with postsurgical biliary atresia who undergo hepatic portocholecystostomy rather than hepatic portoenterostomy or do not achieve bile drainage should be immunized according to schedule.