Final answer:
A staccato cough at 4-12 weeks of age is a symptom of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium which can lead to severe coughing and potentially serious complications if not properly treated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Staccato cough in infants, particularly between 4-12 weeks of age, often presents in whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This condition is known for mucus accumulation in the lungs leading to severe coughing fits. During such fits, and sometimes after, a 'whoop' sound can be heard when air is inhaled through the constricted airways.
The disease progresses through three stages, starting with the catarrhal stage, which resembles common cold symptoms. If not recognized and treated, pertussis can be severe, especially in infants, and may even result in rib fractures due to forceful coughing, or, in the worst-case scenario, death. However, such extreme outcomes have become less common in recent years, thanks in part to vaccination efforts and effective antibiotic treatments.