A Case of Neonatal Tetanus Cured with Neuromuscular Blocking Agent and Ventilatory Support

ABSTRACT

A neonate born at 38 gestational weeks was admitted due to generalized tonic-clonic seizure and cyanosis. The neonate was born six days previously at home through normal delivery and the umbilical cord was cut using scissors sterilized in boiling water. The neonate weighed 3,180 g at admission. Physical examination revealed cyanosis, opisthotonus, trismus and reactive muscle spasms. Laboratory exam, brain sonogram and EEG showed no significant abnormal findings. Based on her history and physical examination, the neonate was diagnosed with tetanus and put in an incubator isolated in a quiet, dark room. Treatment with tetanus human immunoglobulin along with antibiotics (penicillin G) were started immediately, and mechanical ventilation, administration of neuromuscular blocking agent and muscle relaxant were also started off. The frequency of seizure episode decreased gradually, and on the 32nd hospital day, mechanical ventilatory support was stopped along with extubation two days later. Thereafter, the neonate was in continuous generalized hypertonic state and showed feeding difficulty, but there was gradual improvement. She was dismissed on the 49th hospital day and is currently under OPD follow-up, doing well with no special problems. Respiratory management is critical to neonatal tetanus. We report here a case of tetanus treated with inhibition of self-respiration, neuromuscular blocker and application of ventilator, and present this method as a useful direction for future treatment of neonatal tetanus.