ABSTRACT
To document the causes, mode of presentation and establish the morbidity and mortality of tetanus in childhood age group. Descriptive study. Department of Paediatric Surgery, Nishtar Medical College and Hospital, Multan. It was carried out for three years from January 2002 to December 2004. All paediatric patients presenting with tetanus during these three years were inducted in the study. However neonatal cases were excluded from study. All but two cases were admitted through emergency. The remaining two arise in the ward, one being treated for burns and other for long bone fracture in orthopaedic ward. Complete history and clinical findings were noted in a predesigned proforma and a treatment protocol was started. There is four bedded tetanus bay with basic treatment facilities in our ward. However our tetanus bay lacks ventilators and cardiopulmonary monitors. Complications arising 4 during the treatment were noted. A total of 96 patients were included in the study. There were 66 male and 30 female children. The youngest child was of 15 months of age and elder one of 12 years of age. Almost 2/3[rd] [65.62%] of 5 patients belonged to rural background. Wounds supposedly responsible for tetanus were present in 60 patients. Chronic SOM in 10 patients and idiopathic in 26 patients. Abdominal rigidity was present in 90.62% and lock jaw in 85% cases. Lock fit time was <2 days in 25[26.4%] cases. Seven patients required tarcheostomy. Respiratory and anemic complications were amongst the common. Overall mortality was 21.95%. Children make almost1/3[rd] of the total cases of tetanus. The disease pattern remains the same. However survival is better than adults and neonatal tetanus