Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
10 years trends and hospitalization outcomes of non-neonatal tetanus: a large-scale multicenter retrospective study in China
Authors' conclusion
This large-scale study reveals a substantial burden of severe non-neonatal tetanus among under-vaccinated adults, persisting despite the region’s economic transition. Case fatality decreased over the study period, likely reflecting improvements in both the accessibility and quality of critical care, albeit with increasing healthcare costs.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with a clinical diagnosis of non-neonatal tetanus admitted to 159 hospitals in Guangdong, China, 2011–2021
- Participants
- 2,567 patients · 159 hospitals
- Outcome
- Decade-long profile of non-neonatal tetanus
- Follow-up
- 2011–2021
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Farmers (largest occupational group)
- 43.7%
- Documented tetanus vaccination
- 2.2%
- Post-traumatic injury (most common etiology)
- 43.4%
- ICU admission
- 25.1%
- Mechanical ventilation
- 23.8%
- Case fatality, 2012
- 11.8%
- Case fatality, 2021 (significant decline)
- 3.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Risk factors for mortality (multivariable analysis)
- Higher Ablett grade, injection drug use, unknown etiology and comorbidities independent risk factors; ICU admission protective
Original publication
10 years trends and hospitalization outcomes of non-neonatal tetanus: a large-scale multicenter retrospective study in China. Crit Care. Published 19 March 2026. doi:10.
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