Question
A one-year-old baby was admitted to the hospital with a tilted neck, and the doctor diagnosed it as pediatric tetanus. The parents were puzzled; the baby was in good condition during the postpartum period. What exactly is ‘Si Liu Feng’?
Answer
‘Si Liu Feng’, also known as neonatal tetanus, is an acute disease caused by Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is widely present in soil and animal feces and can enter the human body through damaged skin and mucous membranes, such as wounds, fractures, burns, even punctures or rusted areas. In the low-oxygen environment of a wound, Clostridium tetani multiplies and produces a large amount of toxins, which act on the nervous system, causing a systemic specific infection.