Post Neonatal Tetanus in Calabar, Nigeria: A 10 Year Review

Abstract

A 10 year retrospective study of post neonatal tetanus in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital was carried out. The study period spanned from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006. The aim was to determine the incidence of post neonatal tetanus and associated bio-characteristics. Information was extracted from case records of children admitted with the diagnosis of post neonatal tetanus. During the period of study, sixty-seven patients were admitted with tetanus out of a total 6,026 admissions giving an incidence of 1.1%. Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The age range was 2 - 14 years, all from low socio-economic class. About 10% of the patients were partially immunized. Portal of entry to Clostridium tetani was mostly wounds sustained during play and while executing house-hold chores. Incubation period ranged from 4 – 27 days while onset period was 1 – 6 days. Case fatality rate was 18% accounting for 3.7% of the 300 deaths recorded during the period. In conclusion, tetanus remains a problem in this sub-region. Injuries predispose to majority of the cases. Booster dose of tetanus toxoid at school entry to all children has been recommended. Keywords : Paediatric ward, Post Neonatal, Tetanus. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (2) 2008: pp. 45-47