Question
How Severe Are the Consequences of Neonatal Tetanus?
Answer
Neonatal tetanus is typically caused by the entry of the bacteria’s spores through the umbilical cord wound, although it can also enter through external wounds. The disease can manifest as early as 2 days after birth or as late as over 14 days after birth. However, the incubation period is generally 5-7 days, hence the colloquial names ‘four-six wind’ or ‘seven-day wind’. Early symptoms of neonatal tetanus may include a locked jaw, difficulty breastfeeding, and facial spasms presenting a grimacing expression. The limbs may experience intermittent tonic spasms, with the rectus abdominis muscle possibly becoming rigid like a board. The neck may arch in an opisthotonos. Spasms in the respiratory muscles and laryngeal muscles can lead to asphyxia, respiratory failure, and heart failure. Diagnosis primarily relies on typical unique clinical manifestations and a history of inadequate disinfection during delivery or regional trauma to the newborn area during childbirth that was not disinfected. If conditions permit, a pathogenic examination can be conducted, but this has little clinical significance for diagnosis.