Risk factors and clinical Outcome of Tetanus in Pediatric ICU of a developing country.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the Risk factors and clinical Outcome of Tetanus in Pediatric ICU of a developing country. Study Design: Prospective Cross-sectional study. Setting: PICU of National Institute of Child Health Karachi. Period: September 2019 to March 2020. Material & Methods: All cases of tetanus aged one month to 15 years were included with non-probability, convenient technique. Only children whose parents/guardians did not consent to the study participation, were excluded. Results: We enrolled 53 patients in study. Mean age was 8.2 years. Gender distribution was 33:20 male to female. History of trauma was present in 27% cases. Maximum ICU stay was 16 days (mean). Metallic material was used in 9/27 (33%) and wooden material was used in 4/27 (15%) patients, while in 14(51%) other materials were used. Otogenic infection was present in 9/53 (17%), post injury infection occurs in 1/53 (2%) while others are unknown. Conclusion: Tetanus is preventable disease with high morbidity, and mortality. It can be addressed at mass level with campaigns and prohibited with compliant EPI scheduled vaccination.