Septicaemia among Neonates with Tetanus

Abstract

In a study of 149 cases of neonatal tetanus (NNT) admitted into the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, 49 (33 per cent) were also found to have septicaemia. The dominant organisms were coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus. A comparison of the clinical features of the septicaemic and non-septicaemic neonates showed umbilical cord infection to be an indicator of septicaemia. There was no significant difference in the case fatality rates of the two groups of patients and the overall case fatality was low (37 per cent). This is attributable to early diagnosis and treatment of the septicaemia cases. It is suggested that paediatricians should have a high index of suspicion of septicaemia among cases of NNT as a means of reducing case fatality.

A review of neonatal tetanus in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, North-eastern Nigeria

“…This study confirms that co-morbidities such as sepsis identified in these patients worsen the severity of the illness as previously reported,293031 that about half of the neonates with neonatal tetanus also have sepsis and contribute significantly to neonatal mortality.…”

A Review of Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in an Intensive Care Unit of a Paediatric Health Facility in Lagos, Nigeria

“…This study could not ascertain the causative organisms of neonatal septicaemia because results of blood culture and of cerebro-spinal fluid analysis were not available, though Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes have been identified as common causes of neonatal septicaemia in other parts of the world [27]. Studies in Nigeria however reported 33% of septicaemia among neonatal tetanus cases [28] and 49% of septicaemic neonates in eastern Nigeria [29]. The 61.5% prevalence of There was no statistically significant difference in the mean weight of the 1-day old and with 2-7 days old (df=12.…”

Neonatal Tetanus in Vietnam: Comprehensive Intensive Care Support Improves Mortality: Table 1.

“…We found that improved spasm control was achieved by combining continuous midazolam and neuromuscular blockade. Because septicemia is common among neonates with tetanus [8], we believe that the early administration of antibiotics is an important part of routine management.…”