One hundred and twenty-two cases diagnosed as neonatal tetanus were admitted to our hospital between 1979 and 1984. Of these, 81 cases were treated with equine tetanus antitoxin (TAT) and 41 with human tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG). The latter were subdivided into two groups at random, Group A and Group B. Group A consisting of 21 cases, were treated with TIG intramuscularly and intrathecally, whereas group B consisting of 20 cases had only intramuscular TIG therapy. The overall mortality rate was found to be 58% in the TAT Group and 46% in the TIG Group. Whereas the mortality rate of TIG Group A was 38% and that of Group B 55%. Although no significant statistical difference in the mortality rates of both the TIG and TAT Groups and Groups A and B was observed, it is consequently believed that the use of TIG intramuscularly and intrathecally with appropriate supportive therapy, may yield more successful results.

Keywords: human tetanus immunoglobulin, equine tetanus antitoxin, intrathecal therapy