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Epidemiological trends of tetanus from East Delhi, India: a hospital-based study
Manish Narang1, Aman Khurana1, Sunil Gomber1
1Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
Insights
The combined intrathecal and intramuscular anti-tetanus immunoglobulin (ATG) route significantly improved survival rates in children with tetanus compared to intramuscular ATG alone. Seizures and tremors indicate a poor prognosis in tetanus patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Tetanus remains a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Understanding prognostic indicators and optimizing treatment are crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic profile, prognostic factors, and mortality associated with tetanus in children.
- To compare treatment outcomes of intramuscular anti-tetanus immunoglobulin (ATG) versus combined intrathecal and intramuscular ATG.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 100 children under 12 years diagnosed with tetanus from 2003-2007.
- Evaluation of case records for neonatal (n=30) and post-neonatal (n=70) tetanus.
- Comparison of outcomes based on treatment route: intramuscular ATG vs. dual-route ATG.
Main Results:
- Predominant clinical manifestations included feeding difficulties, trismus, spasms, rigidity, and opisthotonus.
- The dual-route (intrathecal and intramuscular) ATG administration showed a significantly higher survival rate than the intramuscular-only route.
- Seizures and tremors were identified as poor prognostic indicators.
Conclusions:
- Combined intrathecal and intramuscular ATG administration is associated with improved survival in pediatric tetanus.
- Early identification of prognostic factors like seizures and tremors is vital for clinical management.
Objective:
To study the demographic profile, prognostic indicators, and mortality of tetanus patients and treatment outcomes following intramuscular anti-tetanus immunoglobulin (ATG) alone or combined intrathecal and intramuscular ATG.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Setting:
Inpatients from a tertiary care hospital.
Subjects:
One hundred children under 12 years of age diagnosed with tetanus and admitted from January 2003 to December 2007 were included in the study.
Methods:
Case records of patients with neonatal tetanus (n=30) and post-neonatal tetanus (n=70) were evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis of tetanus was based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The outcomes of patients treated with either intramuscular ATG or both intrathecal and intramuscular ATG were separately compared in the neonatal and post-neonatal groups.
Results:
Our study revealed difficulty in feeding, trismus, spasms, rigidity, and opisthotonus posturing as the predominant clinical manifestations. The survival rate for children receiving tetanus immunoglobulin by the dual route was significantly higher than for children receiving the immunoglobulin via the intramuscular route. Seizures and tremors were poor prognostic factors associated with tetanus.
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