Tetanus IgG antibody levels in children aged 12 to 47 months in Turkey

Tetanus is a serious disease with high mortality, which is very difficult t o treat but can be prevented easily by vaccination. The number of tetanus c ases reported in Turkey was 42 in 1996 and 51 in 1997. This study was carri ed out on children aged 12 to 47 months who have vaccination cards in the N o. 1 Health Centre in Batikent district in Ankara, Turkey. Forty-one of the children had received 3 doses (Group I) of tetanus vaccine, and 47 of them had received 4 doses of the vaccine (Group 2). Anti-toroid IgG antibody in blood sera was quantified by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay t echnique. In Group 1. antibody levels more than 0.01 IU/mL were found in 47 %, 43%, and 45% of blood sera of children aged 12 to 23 months, 24 to 35 mo nths, and 36 to 47 months, respectively. These rates in Group 2 were found to be 91%. 88%, and 60%, respectively. The protective antibody response (>1 IU/mL) was found to be higher for children in Group 2 than in Group i. but both rates declined with age. Checking immunization status periodically an d giving vaccine doses as required are essential to increase the antibody r esponse. Further, it is a must in developing countries where vaccination ef forts are hindered by cold-chain problems, underoptimum application practic e, and high prevalence of concomitant infections.