[A study of 10 cases of neonatal tetanus]. / Estudio de 10 casos de tetanos neonatal

ABSTRACT

PIP Tetanus is an infectious disease that can occur at any age and is highly lethal. In the present study, a review was made of all cases of tetanus between January 1979 and June 1985 at the University Hospital "Dr. Eleuterio Gonzalez" in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Out of a total of 76 cases, 10 were newborns. Of these, 5 were female and 5 male. The average age at admission was 8.5 days and the period of Collis was 32.3 hours. All had been born in a septic environment at term and with an average birthweight of 3120 kgs. Using Jandra's classification, 3 cases were considered mild, 5 moderate, and 2 severe. The laboratory tests were not relevant. 9 patients were given Phenobarbital and Diazepam as sedatives; 6 received total parenteral alimentation, and 5 newborns were given mechanical ventilation during an average of 26.6 days. The most common complications were respiratory problems and septicemia. The average length of hospitalization was 26.3 days with a mortality rate of 50%. (author's)^ieng