Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital saves newborn baby with dangerous umbilical tetanus

The XDP patient is the fourth child of a family in Muong Tip commune, Ky Son district. The patient was born at full term, delivered at home, and relatives assisted the mother. After birth, the family cut the baby's umbilical cord with regular scissors.

6 days after birth, the XDP patient had poor feeding and slept lethargically. At 3 a.m. on July 13, the patient cried continuously, refused to breastfeed, had convulsions, and stiffened. The family took the patient to Ky Son District Medical Center. Ky Son District Medical Center quickly transferred the patient to the emergency room.Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospitalfor treatment.

Through examination and medical history, doctors learned that: The family used scissors to cut the baby's umbilical cord; during pregnancy, the baby's mother did not receive a tetanus vaccination...

The patient was diagnosed with umbilical tetanus by the doctor and was isolated and treated separately in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a closed room environment, avoiding light and maximum noise, deep sedation, mechanical ventilation and intravenous nutrition.

Until now, the mortality rate in newborns with umbilical tetanus has been very high. XDP patients have been closely monitored, cared for and treated actively with mechanical ventilation, tetanus toxin neutralization with SAT antiserum, antibiotics, and control of convulsions and muscle stiffness with combined sedatives.

After 40 days of intensive care, the XDP patient was able to be weaned off the ventilator, breathe on his own, breastfeed on his own, no longer have any infections or convulsions. The patient was discharged to go home with his family. Doctors at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital also gave detailed instructions for the family to properly care for him, monitor him, and return for follow-up examinations in the future.

Sharing about the case, specialist doctor 2 Truong Le Thi - Head of the Neonatal Emergency Resuscitation Department said: "Tetus is an especially dangerous acute infection that can cause death if not detected and treated promptly. The mortality rate in newborns with umbilical tetanus is very high due to acute respiratory failure and infection. Umbilical tetanus occurred in baby XDP possibly due to unsterile umbilical cord cutting tools at home and unclean newborn care environment. Currently, the number of children infected with tetanus has decreased compared to before. However, when children are infected, the survival rate is very low due to the dangerous level of the disease".

Tetanus is an infection caused by Clostridium tetani, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, spores of C.tetani can be present everywhere in the environment.

C. Tetani produces an exotoxin that affects the central nervous system, causing typical muscle spasms and spasms. The bacteria enter the body through skin wounds, scratches caused by stepping on contaminated ceramic pieces or rusty nails. All ages can be affected. Newborns can get tetanus because the bacteria enter the body, usually through the umbilical cord.

The first symptom of tetanus in newborns is refusal to breastfeed or difficulty in breastfeeding, the baby cannot open his mouth. After 24-72 hours, the symptoms become more severe such as constant jaw stiffness, whole body stiffness. The face, neck, back, abdomen, limbs are all stiff, both hands are clenched. Every noise or every touch causes the baby's whole body to stiffen. In severe cases, there will be continuous convulsions, sometimes stopping breathing, causing death. Observing the navel shows signs of umbilical infection: the navel is wet, oozing yellow fluid, has pus, has a foul odor, is red and inflamed. Mothers need to observe and detect early when the baby just starts to breastfeed poorly or the navel is leaking water to take the baby to the doctor for timely treatment.

Currently, tetanus vaccination is an effective and safe measure for both mother and child.