Zeeshan Munir, Muhammad Haroon Hamid.
Effectiveness of Magnesium Sulphate to Control Muscle Spasm in Children with Moderate to Severe Tetanus.
Pak Paed J Jan ;44(3):273-6.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of magnesium sulphate to control muscle spasm in children with moderate to severe tetanus. Study Design: It was a descriptive case series. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Medical ICU of the Children`s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore over a period of 6 months. Material and Methods: A total of 44 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. Patients were diagnosed on the clinical basis and graded according to Ablett classification of tetanus. Patients were admitted in paediatric intensive care unit and given supportive treatment including tetanus immunoglobulin and I/V antibiotics. Patients with moderate to severe tetanus were additionally given Magnesium sulphate after taking informed consent. Information regarding study variables was collected through a performa and analysis was done using SPSS 20. Results: Forty four patients were treated in PICU. Out of total 44 patients, 2 were admitted with grade II tetanus, 26 were with grade III and 14 were admitted with grade IV tetanus. Out of 44 patients, 68.2 % needed mechanical ventilation and 31.8 % did not require mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Magnesium sulphate was not effective alone to control muscle spasm and reducing the need of mechanical ventilation in patients with tetanus, however it can be used as an adjunct along with other drugs.

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