Question
What are the distinct symptoms of newborn navel tetanus?
Answer
Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani, a bacterium that invades the human body through wounds and grows and reproduces in anaerobic environments, producing neurotoxins that lead to generalized tonic spasms. In the past, the incubation period for newborns suffering from tetanus due to umbilical cord infection was typically 7 days, hence it was also known as “seven-day wind.” The symptoms of tetanus initially manifest as difficulty in suckling, restlessness and crying due to hunger, followed by a clenched jaw, furrowed brows, and facial muscle spasms with the corners of the mouth pulled back. This process develops rapidly in infants, usually within 24 hours.