title: Neonatal tetanus: incidence and improved outcome with diazepam.
abstract: During a four-year prospective study at a referral hospital, 61 patients with neonatal tetanus were encountered and the contribution of continuous intravenous diazepam was noted. The over-all incidence during the study was 21.8/1000, with a mortality rate of 8.2 per cent. Signs associated with fatal outcome were hypothermia, generalized rigidity and opisthotonus. The mean dose of diazepam used was 25.8 mg/kg/day, in combination with sodium phenobarbitone (mean dose 10.7 mg/kg/day). The results suggest that high-dose intravenous (continuous) diazepam is effective, economical and feasible for reducing mortality in neonatal tetanus. Side-effects were minimal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Okuonghae
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Airede
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013742:Tetanus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D003975:Diazepam