FACTORS AFFECTING PROGNOSIS OF NEONATAL TETANUS

Neonatal tetanus is associated with a high mortality rate, despite int ensive care. Although it can be prevented by immunization of expectant mothers and by good hygiene and asepsis during delivery, neonatal tet anus is still a common cause of neonatal mortality in underdeveloped c ountries. In our study, hospital records of 133 newborns with neonatal tetanus were evaluated to identify the possible factors affecting pro gnosis of neonatal tetanus; 79 were males and 56 females, and 54 (41.6 %) of the 133 died. Sex and birth weight did not affect the prognosis. As a result of our study, we found that age on admission <10 days, sy mptoms <5 days and presence of risus sardonicus and fever indicate a p oor prognosis in neonatal tetanus.