Risk factors, morbidity and mortality of neonatal tetanus.

A retrospective study was conducted to identify the risk factors, mortality and morbidity of neonatal tetanus in an Infectious Disease Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh, the only referral hospital in the country of its kind. Hospital records of all cases of neonatal tetanus admitted over one year period from 1st May 2008 and 30th April 2009 were analyzed. Demographic data, clinical presentation, progression, hospital stay and outcome were evaluated. Overall mortality was found 52.9%. Hospital stay among the patients was 11.00 ± 8.37 days. Among the patients about two third had unsatisfactory outcome and only 6(35.3%) patients recovered completely. The retrospective study identified that mortality due to neonatal tetanus was very high and the common morbidities were lock jaw, inability to suck, abdominal rigidity, convulsion, fever, irritability etc. It has been explored that low socioeconomic conditions, mothers' illiteracy, lack of antenatal care and involvement of untrained persons during delivery of baby and unclean cord care practices were the important factors contributing to neonatal tetanus. A further study with a larger sample size is recommended for evaluating the findings of the study and formulating the possible preventive strategies against neonatal tetanus.