MATERNAL AND NEONATAL TETANUS: DEADLY AND PREVENTABLE DISEASE

Not all maternal and newborn deaths are supernatural, some can be due to environmental risk factors beyond and within our control.

Today, a little shift from food and nutrition, but an insight on public health issue. When I was pregnant for my second baby, my sister kept calling all day to know if I had registered for antenatal. I told her I will do that once my change of hospital reflects on my HMO database. Infact, she didn't let me rest till I completed all the hospital rendezvous and successfully registered for antenatal at Upth. 

I was already in midway second trimester when I attended my first visit, after medical consultations, the doctor insisted that I take the Tetanus toxoid vaccine before leaving the hospital. I had already started the injection since 2018, and this was my fourth dose. I didn't joke with the injections because during internship I managed a patient who suffered some nutritional problems as a result of tetanus disease.

This young man was involved in a motorcycle accident a few years back. He was treated locally and discharged, possibly nobody informed or advised him to take tetanus toxoid injection. It was an excruciating event, he suffered muscle pains, lockjaw, seizures, cramps, could barely eat or talk and had lot so much weight. He was on nutrition support to aid his feeding. All healthcare team gave him optimum care, he got well but the recovery wasn't that easy.

 I know the pregnancy cravings, gist, reunions😊 and all that happens during antenatal visits, they all make us social animals, right? Let's not forget the aim of attending antenatal visits. Pay rapt attention to everything the healthcare professionals have to say, if possible ask questions for clarification and also do the needful😊.

Let's discuss this topic;

📌Tetanus is an acute disease manifested by instability of motor system and autonomic nervous system. It is caused by a highly potent neurotoxin produced by the spore-forming bacterium Clostridium tetani.

The spores are everywhere, found in soil and environment, and can contaminate wounds and abrasions. If the spores are deposited in a wound, the neurotoxin interferes with nerves that control muscle movement causing severe muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and can be fatal.

According to Achieving and Sustaining 

Maternal and NeonatalTetanus Elimination

Strategic Plan 2012–2015, one newborn baby dies due to tetanus every nine minutes. Similarly, several thousand mothers also die due to this easily preventable disease.

In neonatal (0 - 4 weeks old infant) tetanus, the umbilical stump acts as an entry route for the bacteria after unhygienic delivery and cord care practices while maternal tetanus, infection can occur after miscarriages, abortion, as well as unclean and unhygienic delivery practices. 

Neonatal Tetanus is characterized by the ability of a newborn to suck at birth and for the first few days of life, followed by inability to suck starting between 3 and 28 days of age, characterized by spasms, stiffness, convulsions, and death. Although it's eliminated in most countries, some neonatal deaths occur in countries where poverty is widespread especially in developing countries.

As a result of high prevalence of inadequate immunization in some countries, unclean delivery services and inappropriate umbilical cord care, neonatal tetanus represents a high proportion of the total tetanus disease burden. 

Things to consider 👇

📍Start antenatal early, once you're asked to go for the injection, please walk to the immunization clinic.

📍Keep your tetanus toxoid immunization card safe. A lot of mothers complain of misplacing theirs during second vaccination.

📍Endeavour to complete all doses for a long-lasting maternal protection.

📍Clean and sterile birth kit should be used.

📍Don't treat umbilical cord stumps with animal dungs.

📍Practice hygienic cord care, such as use of chlorhexidine wash.

 

Bottom line; 

Since the causative agent is everywhere in our surrounding, the two main strategies for elimination of tetanus is through immunization for women of reproductive age and pregnant women, clean delivery and cord care practices for neonates. 

Generally, if you happen to get a wound, see a doctor immediately.

As a mother, father, husband, brother, sister, wife, neighbour, relative, colleague and friend relate this information to someone that needs it.

Don't shy away from the basics, quite a deadly disease but can be prevented.

Have a nice weekend.

#thepeachydietitian

#publichealthadvocate

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#maternalandnewborncare #tetanus #healtheducation

#tetanuselimination