I am eight months pregnant and I am worried about my baby since I heard so much about neonatal tetanus. I even heard that it could be lethal. I would like to know how often does that happen and what causes it. Is there any kind of protection against it and is it curable?
Neonatal tetanus is a common thing in poor countries but it doesn’t happen frequently in countries where people are being properly immunized against it. If a mother is immunized, a baby will receive antibodies from mother’s blood and baby will be protected. Also, very important part of protection is a level of hygiene during childbirth and afterwards.
There is no need to be worried about neonatal tetanus if you plan to deliver a baby in hospital under controlled conditions and high level of hygiene. It was a common disease back in past when women used to have childbirth at home. If umbilical cord was cut with non-sterile knife or scissors, there was a high possibility for baby to be infected with tetanus.