[Neonatal tetanus in Dakar. Epidemiologic, clinical and prognostic aspects (apropos of 1,159 cases, 1979-1989)].

Tetanus in general, particularly tetanus neonatorum is a great public health problem in tropical area. Our study concerned 1,159 cases admitted at the Infectious Diseases Department of Fann Hospital (Dakar, Senegal) from January 1979 to December 1989. The high frequency of tetanus neonatorum in developing countries was related to certain delivery conditions and lack of generalized antitetanus immunization. Therefore it is necessary to emphasize on health education to decrease the frequency of the disease and to improve tetanus neonatorum prognosis which mortality rate fluctuated between 60% and 90%.