SICHN highlights baby surviving neonatal tetanus
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Neonatal tetanus in Pakistan: A
wake-up call through Safa’s story.
Neonatal
tetanus is a life-threatening infection caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria,
typically entering a newborn's body through unhygienic delivery or cord care
practices. It leads to severe muscle stiffness, spasms, difficulty breathing,
and seizures. Despite being entirely preventable, neonatal tetanus still claims
over 25,000 newborn lives annually worldwide. Pakistan, with its high rate of
home births and inadequate maternal immunization, remains one of the countries
most affected.
Baby Safa,
the youngest in her family, was born at home in a remote village. By her 9th
day of life, she started showing alarming symptoms, including fever, poor
feeding, muscle stiffness, and seizures. Her condition worsened, and her
parents rushed her to the emergency department, where she was referred to the
NICU at SICHN Children’s Hospital, Karachi
Upon
arrival, Safa was critically ill, suffering from tonic-clonic seizures and a
painful opisthotonus posture. The neonatal team at SICHN, along with a dedicated
physiotherapist, immediately began life-saving treatment. Physiotherapy played
a key role in reducing Safa's muscle stiffness, improving her respiratory
function, and supporting her overall recovery. With continuous care and expert
medical management, Safa's condition stabilized remarkably.
After a 29-day hospital stay, Safa was discharged in stable condition. SICHN continued to provide follow-up physiotherapy, which helped Safa improve her muscle tone, breathing patterns, and developmental milestones. By the time Safa was eight months old, she had reached age-appropriate milestones. Her parents received guidance on home care to ensure her continued progress.
Recommendations
to Prevent Neonatal Tetanus:
· * Promote
institutional and skilled birth deliveries to reduce home births
· * Ensure
complete maternal immunization during pregnancy to prevent neonatal tetanus
· * Educate
traditional birth attendants on sterile delivery and cord-care practices
· * Strengthen
antenatal and postnatal care services, especially in underserved areas
· * Raise
awareness through community outreach and media campaigns
· * Implement
clean cord-cutting and cord-care techniques in all deliveries
· * Integrate
early physiotherapy and neuro-physiological assessments into neonatal care
protocols
SICHN’s
Role:
SICHN
played a critical role in Safa's survival and recovery. From the initial
emergency care in the NICU to comprehensive physiotherapy and
neuro-physiological support, the institute’s multidisciplinary approach ensured
Safa received the best care possible. SICHN continues to provide life-saving
interventions and support for families, highlighting the importance of
integrated care in neonatal healthcare.
We would
like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the NICU doctors and staff,
especially Dr. Faraz Ahmed & Dr. Muhammad Azeem, Consultant Neonatologists,
for their compassionate care of Safa. A special thanks to Dr. Lajwanti, our
dedicated physiotherapist, whose incredible success stories have touched the
hearts of so many parents. We also deeply appreciate Dr. Fareeda Jan,
Consultant Neurologist, for her expert aftercare and unwavering support in
Safa’s recovery journey.
Courtesy: Anum Shakeel, Head of Media & Communications,
SICHN, Karachi.
IV Desk
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