Clinical definition:
Infection caused by C. tetani characterized by acute onset of muscle stiffness and muscular contractions.
Neonate, Infant, Child & Adolescent | |||
| Preferred antibiotic choice | |||
| Drug | Formulation | Dosage | Duration |
| Metronidazole (IV) | Injection: 500 mg in 100 mL vial.
| o First week of life (7 days or less): 7.5 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly o 8 days of age & older: 7.5 mg/kg/dose 8 hourly, maximum dose 400 mg 8 hourly | 10 days |
| Alternative antibiotic choice | |||
| Benzylpenicillin (IV) | Powder for injection: 600 mg (= 1 million IU); 3 g (= 5 million IU) (sodium or potassium salt) in vial. | 25 000 IU/kg/dose 6 hourly, maximum dose 5 million IU/kg/dose 6 hourly | 10 days |
Notes:
- Also administer Human Tetanus Immunoglobulin (IM): neonates 500 IU, children 2000 IU, adults 3000-6000 IU.
- Wound care and debridement/umblical cord care is required.
- Administer a booster dose of tetanus vaccine (not required in immunized patients who have received a booster dose within the past 5 years).