title: Ghee applications to the umbilical cord: a risk factor for neonatal tetanus.
abstract: A case-control study was done to elucidate risk factors for neonatal tetanus (NNT) in rural Pakistan; three controls were selected for each of the 69 cases. Factors commonly believed to be associated with NNT, such as the tool used to cut the umbilical cord and the method of preparing the tool, were not confirmed as risk factors. However, applying ghee to the wound stump was. New prevention opportunities deriving from the finding should be pursued aggressively while efforts to develop effective delivery systems to immunise mothers against tetanus continue, a task made difficult by sociocultural factors.
authors.affiliation: Task Force for Child Survival, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Traverso
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Agha
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamil
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D002079:Butter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D002079:Butter