Two cases of neonatal tetanus at a teaching hospital in Ghana: Public health implications

Abstract

Abstract: Globally, the incidence of neonatal tetanus has been on the decline over the past 2 to 3 decades, with the cases identified coming mostly from developing countries, especially in countries with poor health infrastructure. Neonatal tetanus tends to occur as a result of lack of or inadequate tetanus immunizations during the mother’s reproductive life, unhygienic delivery practices or poor umbilical cord care practices. We present sociodemographic and clinical data and short-term outcomes of two cases of neonatal tetanus that were managed in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. The mothers of both babies had inadequate antenatal care, and both delivered at home with the help of untrained Traditional birth attendants. Both babies were referred from the same district level hospital, and survived without the need for mechanical ventilation. Ethical approval was obtained from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Institutional Review Board, and informed consent sought from the mothers of both babies.