A 6-week-old infant born at term presents with repetitive staccato coughing episodes without fever, tachypnoea, and diffuse interstitial infiltrates on chest X-ray. The mother had untreated cervical discharge during pregnancy. What is the most appropriate treatment?
- A Intravenous cefotaxime
- B Oral amoxicillin-clavulanate
- C Oral erythromycin ✓
- D Oral cotrimoxazole
Correct answer: C. Oral erythromycin
Explanation
Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia occurs between 3 weeks and 6 months of age, classically presenting as an afebrile illness with a staccato cough and bilateral interstitial infiltrates. Treatment is oral erythromycin or azithromycin for 14 days. Cotrimoxazole is avoided in young infants because of kernicterus risk. Beta-lactam agents such as cefotaxime and amoxicillin-clavulanate are inactive against Chlamydia because it lacks a peptidoglycan cell wall and lives intracellularly.
Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 22nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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