The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2011 , Vol 53 , Num 4
A Report of Two Pediatric Tetanus Cases
Division of 1Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Departments of 2Pediatric Surgery, and 3Pediatrics, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children’s Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey Aydın-Teke T, Bayhan Gİ, Afşarlar ÇE, Öz FN, Akansel AR, Tanır G. A report of two pediatric tetanus cases. Turk J Pediatr 2011; 53: 437-440.

Tetanus is still a difficult-to-treat disease with high morbidity and mortality. Although it most commonly occurs in non-immunized children, it can also be seen in partially immunized or immunized children[]. We report herein two pediatric cases of generalized tetanus. Case 1 presented with signs of acute abdomen, while Case 2 presented with the typical clinical findings of tetanus. In this report, we highlight the importance of obtaining a history of the vaccination status of pediatric patients as an essential part of the evaluation. Furthermore, the differential diagnosis of non-immunized children with abdominal rigidity should include generalized tetanus. Keywords : tetanus, muscle spasms, acute abdomen, antitoxin, vaccine.

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