Neonatal and postneonatal tetanus at a referral hospital in Kamsar, Guinea: a retrospective audit of paediatric records (2014-2018)

Background

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. In 2018, all of Guinea was considered to be at risk of the disease and the country is currently in the elimination phase.

Methods

A 5-y audit (1 January 2014–31 December 2018) of all admissions to the neonatal and general paediatric units of Kamsar Hospital (Western Guinea) was undertaken to identify cases of neonatal tetanus (NNT) and postneonatal tetanus (PNNT).

Results

There were 5670 admissions during the study period, of which 39 (0.7%) were due to tetanus (22 NNT and 17 PNNT). Among NNT patients, the bacterial entry site was the umbilical cord (n=20) or wound following circumcision (n=2). For PNNT, the entry site was surface wound (n=12), limb fracture (n=1) or could not be established (n=4). A majority of the patients (36/39, 92.3%) were born to unvaccinated mothers or those who received suboptimal vaccination during pregnancy. Overall, 21 (53.8%) children died within 7 d of admission with a higher mortality observed among neonates (16/22, 72.7%) compared with postneonates (5/17, 29.4%).

Conclusions

Tetanus was a rare cause of admission at Kamsar Hospital with a very high case fatality rate. The disease primarily occurred among children born to mothers who were unvaccinated/inadequately vaccinated during pregnancy.

Mortality Rate and Prognostic Factors in Neonatal Tetanus: A 3-Year Analysis of Cases Presented to Turkey-Somalia Mogadishu Training and Research Hospital

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate mortality rate and prognostic factors in neonatal tetanus cases presented to Turkey-Somalia Mogadishu Training and Research Hospital.

Methods A total of 35 neonatal tetanus cases presented to Turkey-Somalia Mogadishu Training and Research Hospital between 2014 and 2017 were included in this prospective observational study. Data on demographic, clinical and maternal obstetric characteristics, and laboratory findings including complete blood count and blood biochemistry were recorded in each patient. Study parameters were evaluated with respect to survivorship status, while multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of increased mortality risk.

Results Overall, mortality occurred in 22 (62.9%) of 35 neonates diagnosed with neonatal tetanus. Tetanus prophylaxis was absent in the majority of neonates, regardless of survivorship status (100.0% in nonsurvivors vs. 84.6% in survivors, p = 0.131). In nonsurvivor versus survivor groups, significantly higher likelihood of constipation (50.0 vs. 7.7%, p = 0.002), contracture (81.8 vs. 46.2%, p = 0.035), and ventilator support (95.4 vs. 53.8%, p = 0.006) as well as significantly lower hemoglobin (14.45 ± 2.06 vs. 17.15 ± 1.77, p = 0.003) and potassium (3.50 ± 0.86 vs. 4.14 ± 0.93, p = 0.003) levels and neutrophil (3.34 ± 1.75 vs. 4.47 ± 1.08, p = 0.047, white blood cell (WBC) (5.54 ± 2.30 vs. 7.78 ± 1.70, p = 0.003) and platelet (median [min-max] 133.5 [68–332] vs. 196 [123–550], p = 0.006) counts were noted. Presence of contracture (odds ratio [OR]: 14.525, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.398–150.870, p = 0.025) and ventilator support (OR: 22.282, 95% CI: 1.269–391.131, p = 0.034) was the independent determinants of increased risk of mortality.

Conclusion Our findings emphasize high mortality in neonatal tetanus cases in Somalia along with lack of maternal tetanus prophylaxis in majority of cases. Presence of contractures and ventilator support were significant determinants of poor survival, while factors such as constipation, lower hemoglobin, and potassium levels and lower neutrophil, WBC and platelet counts were also more common among nonsurvivors, albeit not found to be associated with mortality risk in the multivariate analysis.

Prevalence and predictors of taking tetanus toxoid vaccine in pregnancy: a cross-sectional study of 8,722 women in Sierra Leone

Background

Immunization of women during pregnancy to protect them and their infants against tetanus, pertussis and influenza is recommended by the World health Organization (WHO). However, there is limited information about the coverage rate and associated factors in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence and predictors of taking tetanus toxoid among pregnant women in Sierra Leone.

Methods

This study was based on the fifth round of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 5) conducted in Sierra Leone in 2017. In total 8722 women aged between 15 and 49 years were included in this study. Outcome variable was taking of Tetanus Toxoid vaccination during the last pregnancy. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulation and logistic regression methods.

Results

The overall prevalence of receiving TT immunization during women’s last pregnancy was 96.3% and that of taking at least two doses was 82.12%. In the regression analysis, women from Mende ethnicity had a 0.48 fold lower chance of being immunized (OR = 0.480, 95% CI = 0.385,0.59768) than those from the other ethnicity. In addition, women who attended at least four ANC visits had higher odds of receiving TT vaccine (OR = 1.919, 95% CI = 1.639,2.245) compared to those who attended less ANC visits. Stratified by areas, this association was observed in both urban (OR = 2.661, 95% CI = 1.924,3.679) and rural areas (OR = 1.716, 95% CI = 1.430,2.059). Attending at least four ANC visits showed a positive association with receiving at least two doses TT (OR = 2.434, 95% CI = 1.711,3.464) in both urban (OR = 2.815, 95% CI = 1.413,5.610) and rural areas (OR = 2.216, 95% CI = 1.463,3.356) as well.

Conclusion

Higher number of ANC visits, mass media exposure and higher wealth quintile increased the odds of receiving TT immunization. In addition, minimum two doses which were identified to reduce neonatal mortality. Therefore, immunization campaigns targeting improved utilization of healthcare and immunization services by women of childbearing age in Sierra Leone are strongly recommended.