INFANTILE TETANUS Meaning and
Definition
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Infantile tetanus, also known as tetanus neonatorum or neonatal tetanus, is a highly dangerous and potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This infection primarily affects newborn babies, typically within the first two weeks of life, but can also occur in infants up to two months old.
Infantile tetanus is contracted when spores of the Clostridium tetani bacterium enter the body through an open wound, such as the umbilical stump or a cut on the skin, and produce toxins that target the central nervous system. The bacteria thrive in environments with low oxygen levels, such as soil, dust, and animal feces.
Symptoms of infantile tetanus often develop within 3-14 days after infection. The initial signs include irritability, poor feeding, and muscle stiffness. As the infection progresses, the affected infant experiences muscle spasms and rigidity, particularly in the jaw (hence the term "lockjaw"), making it difficult to open the mouth or swallow. Other symptoms may include difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, high fever, and arching of the back.
Without prompt and appropriate treatment, infantile tetanus can lead to serious complications such as respiratory failure, pulmonary aspiration, and even death. Prevention of infantile tetanus is primarily achieved through maternal immunization, proper aseptic practices during delivery, and ensuring clean umbilical cord care.
Overall, infantile tetanus is a severe and preventable infection that requires immediate medical attention to improve survival chances and minimize long-term complications.
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Trismus nascentium, trismus neonatorum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INFANTILE TETANUS
- infantile tetanuq
- infantile tetanur
- innfantiletetanus
- infauntiletetanus
- i nfantile tetanus
- in fantile tetanus
- inf antile tetanus
- infa ntile tetanus
- infan tile tetanus
- infant ile tetanus
- infanti le tetanus
- infantil e tetanus
- infantile t etanus
- infantile te tanus
- infantile tet anus
- infantile teta nus
- infantile tetan us
- infantile tetanu s
Etymology of INFANTILE TETANUS
The word "infantile tetanus" can be broken down into two parts:
1. "Infantile": The term "infantile" is derived from the Latin word "infantilis", which means "pertaining to an infant" or "characteristic of an infant". It is formed by combining the prefix "in", meaning "not" or "without", and the root "fari", meaning "to speak".
2. "Tetanus": The word "tetanus" comes from the Greek word "tetanos", which means "stiff". It is a noun form of the verb "tetanos", which means "to stretch, to stiffen".
Therefore, "infantile tetanus" refers to a form of tetanus that primarily affects infants.
