Tetanus in a child

Authors

  • Katya Bilbao González Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
  • William González Luzardo Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
  • Joaquín García Padrón Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Keywords:

tetanus/complications, child

Abstract

Tetanus is an acute disease of global distribution caused by tetanospasmin (a potent protein exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani). It is characterized by generalized muscle spasms and acquired by the entering of spores into the body through wounds or trauma to the skin and mucosa. The objective of this article is to describe the clinical characteristics and evolution of a child diagnosed with tetanus, who, at age 11, was not vaccinated against the disease. He suffered, accidentally, an open fracture of the left forearm –gateway for the germ– which was contaminated with dirt and feces of horses. After six days of the completion of surgery, he began with the classical manifestations of the disease. A treatment with anti-tetanus serum was implemented for 15 days, and he presented, as a complication, serum sickness and surgical wound sepsis, which evolved into healing with proper and timely treatment.

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Author Biographies

Katya Bilbao González, Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Especialista de I Grado en Medicina General Integral. Especialista de I Grado en Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias. Máster en Urgencias Médicas. Profesora Asistente de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara “Dr. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz”.

William González Luzardo, Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Especialista de I Grado en Anestesiología y Reanimación. Especialista de II Grado en Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias. Máster en Urgencias Médicas. Profesor  Instructor de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara “Dr. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz”.

Joaquín García Padrón, Hospital Pediátrico “José Luis Miranda”, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba

Especialista de I Grado en Medicina General Integral. Especialista de I Grado en Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias. Profesor Instructor de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara “Dr. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz”.

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How to Cite

1.
Bilbao González K, González Luzardo W, García Padrón J. Tetanus in a child. Acta Méd Centro [Internet]. 2012 Jul. 13 [cited 2025 Jul. 1];6(3):83-6. Available from: https://revactamedicacentro.sld.cu/index.php/amc/article/view/749

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2012): July-September

Section

Case Reports

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