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A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON RISK FACTORS, VACCINATION STATUS AND OUTCOME OF TETANUS IN CHILDREN

Dr Sahibzada Aneesullah, Muhammad Fayaz, Dr Ghulam Murtaza Ali

Introduction: Tetanus is an acute neurological but vaccine-preventable disease caused by Clostridium tetani that causes significant morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Aims and objectives: The basic purpose of the study is to analyse the study on risk factors, vaccination status and outcome of tetanus in children. Methodology of the study: This cross sectional study was conducted in PIMS, Islamabad during March 2018 to January 2019. The data was collected from 100 children of both genders. The diagnosis of tetanus was clinical, based on medical history and examination, determining the presence of at least three of the following clinical findings: severe trismus, refusal to feed, generalised muscle rigidity, opisthotonus or spontaneous tetanic spasms. Blood samples were taken within one hour of admission. Laboratory measurements included full blood count, electrolytes, creatinine and glucose. Results: The data was collected from 100 patients. There were 67(63.5%) males and 33 (36.5%) females. Overall, the mean age was 6.56+3.15 years, and the commonest age group at presentation was 6-10 years with 38(51.4%) cases. 50(67%) were unvaccinated, none (0%) had received booster dose and post-trauma immune prophyl axis. The case fatality was therefore 61.8%, and did not vary significantly over the 14 years (P = 0.536). Conclusion: It is concluded that this study has documented high case fatality rates in Pediatric tetanus in the study area.

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