Abstract
BackgroundNeonatal tetanus continues to occur in many resource-limited settings but there are few data regarding long-term neurological outcome from the disease, especially in settings with critical care facilities.MethodsWe assessed long-term outcome following neonatal tetanus in infants treated in a pediatric intensive care unit in southern Vietnam. Neurological and neurodevelopmental testing was performed in 17 survivors of neonatal tetanus and 18 control children from the same communities using tools previously validated in Vietnamese children.ResultsThe median age of children assessed was 36 months. Eight neonatal tetanus survivors and 9 community control cases aged < 42 months were tested using the Bayley III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley III-VN) and 8 neonatal tetanus survivors and 9 community controls aged ≥42 months were tested using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. No significant reductions in growth indices or neurodevelopmental scores were shown in survivors of neonatal tetanus compared to controls although there was a trend towards lower scores in neonatal tetanus survivors. Neurological examination was normal in all children except for two neonatal tetanus survivors with perceptive deafness and one child with mild gross motor abnormality. Neonatal tetanus survivors who had expienced severe disease (Ablett grade ≥ 3) had lower total Bayley III-VN scores than those with mild disease (15 (IQR 14–18) vs 24 (IQR 19–27), p = 0.05) with a significantly lower cognitive domain score (3 (IQR 2–6) severe disease vs 7 (IQR 7–8) mild disease, p = 0.02).ConclusionsNeonatal tetanus is associated with long-term sequelae in those with severe disease. In view of these findings, prevention of neonatal tetanus should remain a priority.
Highlights
Neonatal tetanus continues to occur in many resource-limited settings but there are few data regarding long-term neurological outcome from the disease, especially in settings with critical care facilities
Elimination is the central objective of a highly successful initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, in its 3rd decade
Short-term outcome of these infants has improved, prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation may be necessary and infants are at risk of many of
Summary
Neonatal tetanus continues to occur in many resource-limited settings but there are few data regarding long-term neurological outcome from the disease, especially in settings with critical care facilities. The initiative has achieved considerable success with 40 countries having officially eliminated the disease. Mortality rates from neonatal tetanus vary widely, largely according to facilities available for treatment, mechanical ventilation [3, 4]. We reported improved outcome following the introduction of advanced critical care facilities, including use of invasive blood pressure monitoring and early treatment of autonomic nervous system dysfunction [1]. Short-term outcome of these infants has improved, prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation may be necessary and infants are at risk of many of
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