Neonatal tetanus

Neonatal tetanus is a form of tetanus that occurs in newborns. If the umbilical cord is cut with a non-sterile instrument, tetanus spores can get into the wound and produce a toxin that spreads in the body, causing muscle stiffness and spasms.

Causes

Neonatal tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is found in soil and animal excrement. The bacteria enter the body through a wound, such as the one created when the umbilical cord is cut. If the instrument used to cut the cord is not sterile, it can introduce the bacteria into the baby's body.

Symptoms

The symptoms of neonatal tetanus usually appear within the first two weeks of life. They include:

• Irritability
• Muscle stiffness
• Spasms
• Difficulty feeding due to a condition known as "lockjaw," which prevents the baby from opening his or her mouth

Prevention

Neonatal tetanus can be prevented by immunizing women of childbearing age with the tetanus vaccine. This protects the baby from tetanus for the first few months of life. In addition, the umbilical cord should be cut with a sterile instrument and the wound should be kept clean.

Treatment

Treatment for neonatal tetanus includes wound care, antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and antitoxin to neutralize the toxin. The baby may also need to be hospitalized and given medications to control spasms and other symptoms.

See also

• Tetanus
• Vaccination

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