Patient's question:
What causes neonatal tetanus? The baby was less than a week old when we noticed symptoms of neonatal tetanus, and now we're learning about the treatment in the infant ward. My wife and I find it strange. The baby is so young, and we haven't seen any wounds. How could they get tetanus?Expected help: What causes neonatal tetanus?
Doctor's answer:
1. The causative agent of tetanus, Clostridium tetani, is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. It is widely distributed in nature. It can be found in soil, dust, and animal and human feces. It has extremely strong resistance and can survive for decades in soil without light, withstand boiling for 60 minutes, dry heat at 150℃ for 1 hour, and 5% carbolic acid for 10 to 15 hours. It requires autoclaving and must be completely eliminated using iodine-containing disinfectants such as iodine alcohol or other disinfectants like ethylene oxide.2. Mode of transmission: Tetanus is introduced when the umbilical cord is cut, and the hands of the healthcare provider or the scissors and gauze used are not sterilized or sterilized improperly, or when the umbilical area is not cleaned and disinfected properly after birth, allowing Clostridium tetani to enter through the umbilical cord.