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Tetanus, Pediatric

Eimear Kitt, MB, BCh, BAO (NUI) and Hamid Bassiri, MD, PhD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Tetanus is characterized by muscle rigidity and spasms due to production of a neurotoxin in infected wounds by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic spore-forming gram-positive bacillus.

  • T...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Incubation period is 3 to 21 days (usually 10 days) but varies as inoculations distal to CNS are associated with longer incubation periods.

  • Generalized tetanus

    • “Lockjaw” or trismus is i...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Tetanus is not a transmissible disease.

  • Keep patient in a quiet, darkened room with minimum stimulus.

  • Monitor cardiac and respiratory status closely.

  • Be prepared to perform a tr...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Signs and symptoms usually progress for ~1 week, then plateau for ~1 week, and gradually improve over the next 2 to 6 weeks.

  • Overall mortality rates have decreased with advances i...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brook I. Tetanus in children. Pediatr Emerg Care.  2004;20(1):48–51. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Hassel B. Tetanus: pathophysiology, treatment, and the possibility of using ...

CODES

ICD9

  • 037 Tetanus

  • 771.3 Tetanus neonatorum

ICD10

  • A35 Other tetanus

  • A33 Tetanus neonatorum

SNOMED

  • 76902006 Tetanus (disorder)

  • 43424001 tetanus neonatorum (disorder)

  • 240434007 Generalized tetanus

  • 240429008 L...

FAQ

  • Q: What types of wounds are tetanus-prone?

  • A: Punctures, avulsion wounds, crush injuries, burns, wounds from frostbite or missiles, and wounds contaminated with saliva, soil, or feces.

  • Q: How is tet...

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