Antitetanus toxoid antibodies in mothers and neonates: a single-centre study from Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neonatal mortality due to tetanus persists in Uganda despite the mandatory vaccination of pregnant mothers. Maternal antibodies wane within a year. Uganda's maternal vaccination guidelines do not specify the timing or frequency of tetanus shots, contributing to suboptimal transfer of tetanus antibodies to neonates. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with protective tetanus antibodies among newborns at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 293 mother-newborn pairs. At delivery, neonatal cord and maternal venous blood were collected and titred for antitetanus antibodies using a quantitative ELISA kit. The primary outcome of the study was the proportion of newborn babies with tetanus antibodies

SUBMITTER: Mugagga N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10401206 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature