All issues > Volume 11(5); 1968

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1968;11(5):237-242. Published online May 31, 1968.

A Clinical Study of Tetanus Neonatorum

Duck Hyun Chung¹, Min Ho Choi¹, Pang Ji Kim¹

¹Dept, of Pediatrics, Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju Korea

Abstract

Tetanus neonatorum is still a major problem in pediatric field in Korea. Most of the tetanus neonatorum can be prevented with improvement in general hygiene and socioeconomic conditions. Its high mortality can be much reduced with more energetic and judicious treatments. It is a purpose of this paper to report 62 cases of tetanus neonatorum which were treated as inpatients at Pediatric Dept, of Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju, Korea, during last 4 7/12 years up to July 1967. These 62 cases were analysed in regard to their sex incidence, distribution, incubation period, duration of disease, clinical features, causes of death, complications and mortality. The results and conclusions are summarized as follows: 1.Tetanus neonatorum was prevalent in male (51 to 11) 2.There was trend to refuse of treatment in female patients especially in rural cases. 3.Unsterile scissors or knives were used for cutting of umbilical cord in 60 of 62 cases; 61 cases were delivered at home. 4)Average incubation period was 5.7 days. 5)There was no special relation between incubation period and mortality rate, but mortality rate was slightly low in cases with longer incubation period i£ discount small cases (less than 3 cases). 6)Majority of 62 cases were admitted within the first day of disease. There was no relation between duration of disease and mortality rate. 7)Common clinical features were refusal of sucking, convulsion and trismus. 8)There was no relation between body temperature and mortality rate. 9)Average duration of hospitalization in dead cases was 9 days. 10) The over-all mortality rate was 45%. The mortality rate was getting low anually. The lowest mortality rate was 26% in 1966. 11)The majority direct causes of death were iatrogenic or unsatisfactory managements. 12)The most frequent complication was aspiration pneumonia. 13)Sixteen of 20 tracheostomy cases were expired. 14)Eighteen of 28 dead cases were succumbed during night or early morning.

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