Tetanus in children: new perspectives and updated approaches Tétanos en niños: nuevas perspectivas y enfoques actualizados

Tetanus is a severe and potentially fatal disease caused by the exotoxin tetanospasmin, produced by certain strains of Clostridium tetani. C. tetani is a gram-positive, non-encapsulated, strictly anaerobic bacillus. The natural habitat of Clostridium tetani is the soil. The spores have a wide distribution in the soil, the digestive tract, the feces of horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, chickens, and humans, predominantly in warm and humid agricultural areas. Soil treated with manure can contain significant spores quantities. Clinical manifestation include facial muscles contractions, leading to trismus, where the lower jaw locks, and giving rise to a facial expression recognized as a ¿sardonic grin¿. These initial signs are followed by contractions in the back muscles, resulting in an arched posture referred to as opisthotonos. Finally, sudden and generalized convulsions, known as tetanic spasms, are triggered. Any individual is at risk of acquiring tetanus, but is more frequent ad severe in newborns and elderly adults who have incomplete or have not been received tetanus toxoid vaccination. This serves as a fundamental review that every primary care physician should know and implement, focusing on comprehensive and specific vaccination strategies for all age groups, but particularly in children. © 2024 Comunicaciones Cientificas Mexicanas S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.