Abstract:
Objective of study: To see epidemiology, clinical presentation and outcome of tetanus in children beyond neonatal age. Study Design: Retrospective descriptive. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out at Children Hospital Chandka Medical College Larkana from January 2008 to December 2010. Patients and Methods: Files of patients who had clinical diagnosis of tetanus were used for data collection. Data regarding age, sex, immunization, source of infection, clinical presentation and outcome were collected. SPSS-16 software was used for data analysis. Results were expressed as number and percentage. Results: During study period 148 patients of tetanus beyond neonatal age group were admitted. Mean age of presentation was 5.9 years (age range 1-14 years). There was male predominance; males were 81 (54.72%), while females were 76(45.27%). Majority of patients 107(72.29%) were non-vaccinated. Source of infection was wound in 90 (60.8%), discharging ear 32 (21.62%), and not identified in 26 (17.56%). Regarding clinical presentation, lock Jaw was seen in all the patients. Other features were, body stiffness 119 (80.4%), fever 116 (78.37%) and fits 79 (53.37%). Mortality was quite high, 27 (18.243%) patients expired. Conclusion: Tetanus is still a problem in this area. It is more prevalent in school age group with male predominance. Majority of patients are nonvaccinated, commonest clinical features are lock jaw, spasticity and fever and the mortality is high.
Page(s):
7-11
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Paediatric Journal, Volume: 36, Issue: 1, Year: 2012