Neonatal tetanus in an African newborn

- Tetanus is caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani.
- Neonatal tetanus occurs after the contamination of the umbilical stump with the spores of C. tetani in newborns without protective antibodies.
- Inadequate maternal vaccination and poor perinatal hygiene are the main risks factors.
- The diagnosis is mainly clinical and the early onset of a specific treatment can improve the prognosis.
- Prevention of neonatal tetanus is achieved with improvement in perinatal and ante-natal care, with vaccination of unimmunised pregnant women.