SICHN highlights baby surviving neonatal tetanus

KARACHI: The case of Baby Safa, a patient from Karachi, at the Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN), highlights the critical need for awareness and action against neonatal tetanus in Pakistan. The institute's newsletter lately carried the inspiring story of the baby (being reproduced below), showcasing the hospital's dedication to providing life-saving care to newborns, which demonstrates the impact of timely and effective medical intervention.

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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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