Rationale:Bordetella parapertussiscaused by a severe infection is rare in clinical practice. Here, we report a case of plastic bronchitis (PB).Patient concerns:A 4-year-old girl with a 2-day history of fever, paroxysmal cough, and subconjunctival hemorrhage.Diagnoses:The diagnoses were (1)B parapertussis, (2) pulmonary atelectasis, and (3) PB.Interventions:The patient received azithromycin and underwent bronchoscopy.Outcomes:Symptoms disappeared after treatment. The patient had an outpatient follow-up of 2 months without respiratory symptoms.Lessons:PB can lead to respiratory failure if not intervened in the early stages.