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Childhood tetanus; Still a public health concern: A review of 95 cases
Abstract
Background: Tetanus is preventable by immunization, hence each case of tetanus is an public health care embarrassment. The World Health Organisation had called for the elimination of neonatal tetanus 22 years ago (1989) but it still remain a public health concern..
Objectives: To determine the incidence, clinical profile and outcome of tetanus among Paediatric admissions in UITH, Ilorin.
Methodology: A three-year retrospective chart review (April 2008 – March 2011) of consecutive admissions for childhood tetanus in UITH was carried out.
Results: Ninety five patients were admitted with tetanus out of 3,880 paediatric admissions, giving an incidence of 2.4%. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Among the patients with tetanus, 70 (73.7%) were neonates accounting for 1.8% of the total admissions. The major portal of entry of clustridium tetani virus was infected umbilical stump in the neonate and lower limb wound in the older children. There was a fairly positive correlation between the time of onset (hours) and average spasms/day(r= 0.56), and a greater positive correlation between average spasms/day and the outcome (death) (r= 0.78). There were 59 deaths (case fatality of 62.1%) accounting for 8.6% of deaths during the period under study.
Conclusion: Tetanus still remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
Key Words: Tetanus; neonate; children: public health
Objectives: To determine the incidence, clinical profile and outcome of tetanus among Paediatric admissions in UITH, Ilorin.
Methodology: A three-year retrospective chart review (April 2008 – March 2011) of consecutive admissions for childhood tetanus in UITH was carried out.
Results: Ninety five patients were admitted with tetanus out of 3,880 paediatric admissions, giving an incidence of 2.4%. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Among the patients with tetanus, 70 (73.7%) were neonates accounting for 1.8% of the total admissions. The major portal of entry of clustridium tetani virus was infected umbilical stump in the neonate and lower limb wound in the older children. There was a fairly positive correlation between the time of onset (hours) and average spasms/day(r= 0.56), and a greater positive correlation between average spasms/day and the outcome (death) (r= 0.78). There were 59 deaths (case fatality of 62.1%) accounting for 8.6% of deaths during the period under study.
Conclusion: Tetanus still remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
Key Words: Tetanus; neonate; children: public health
