Post Neonatal Tetanus: 20 Years Experience as Seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Aims: To review the status of post neonatal tetanus at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with a view of highlighting the morbidity and mortality trend.

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between1995-2015.

Methodology: This was a 20 year retrospective review of the records of all post neonatal tetanus cases managed at Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Results: One hundred and fourteen cases of post neonatal tetanus were studied. Male to female ratio was 1.7:1. The ages ranged from 0.16 to16 years with a mean age of 9.74±4.4 years. Most cases were above 5years of age and either unimmunized or incompletely immunized. The portal of entry was specified in 37 (32.7%) of cases and of these, broomstick injury was the commonest portal of entry accounting for 17 (45.9%). The duration of hospital stay ranged between 1-35 days and case fatality rate was 27.4%.

Conclusion: Post neonatal tetanus has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our Teaching Hospital. Injuries especially broomstick injuries predispose to the majority of the cases. Completion of routine tetanus toxoid immunization in infancy and booster doses should be ensured.