Respiratory complication in tetanus

Six hundred cases of tetanus were studied to find out incidence of respiratory complications and to evaluate factors predisposing such complications in tetanus. The incidence of complications was 41 per cent. Infants, patients of more than 40 years of age, smokers, cases with grossly contaminated injuries, short incubation period and short period of onset were more vulnerable. Patients with dysphagia, spasm, associated respiratory diseases and the patients in higher grades were also found to be more susceptible to respiratory complications.