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NUI Galway medics report first case of child tetanus
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Medics at the Department of paediatrics at NUI Galway have reported the first case of child tetanus since it became a notifiable disease in 1981.
The case of the 11 year boy is published in the latest edition of the Irish Medical journal.
The case report reveals that the boy presented to the emergency department 12 days after he wounded his foot playing barefoot outdoors.
On examination, the 11 year old was noted to be in no acute distress, but there was marked spasm of his jaw muscles with limited opening.
There was mo medical history of relevance and the 11 year old was unvaccinated.
He was hospitalised for 17 days, 9 in the intensive care unit.
The report notes that tetanus immunisation was started prior to discharge but despite advice and education, his siblings remain unvaccinated.
Tetanus is a rare clinical entity and has been a notifiable disease in Ireland since 1981 with 12 reported cases to date.