Cause of death in tetanus neonatorum: study of 233 cases with 54 necropsies

Of 125 newborn infants with tetanus studied clinically, 75 died. Hypothermia and bronchopneumonia were the commonest events leading to death. A sudden drop in the amount of sedation required, loss of or diminished tetanal signs, and hypothermia usually indicated the onset of bronchopneumonia. A later series of 108 cases with 75 deaths (54 necropsies) formed the basis of a pathological study. Pulmonary pathology was found in 46 out of the 54 necropsies: mainly pulmonary haemorrhage, aspiration pneumonia, and bronchopneumonia, particularly of the right upper lobe. Adrenal haemorrhage and renal vein thrombosis also occurred.