Postabortal and postpartum tetanus. A review of 19 cases

The occurrence of postabortal and postpartum tetanus over a 7 1/2-year period at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, is reviewed. Of all the women between the ages of 15 years and 50 years who were admitted with tetanus, 34,7% were admitted after abortions. The mortality rate was 15,8%, which appears to be the lowest thus far reported. Possible methods of preventing postabortal tetanus are discussed.