A woman of 37 weeks gestation comes for an antenatal visit to the primary health care centre for the first time in her pregnancy. How should she be managed concerning protection of her child from neonatal tetanus?
**Core Concept**
The primary concern in this scenario is the prevention of neonatal tetanus, a serious infection that can be fatal in newborns. Effective prevention involves ensuring tetanus toxoid vaccination in the mother before delivery, as well as proper wound care and hygiene during childbirth.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer involves administering tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine to the pregnant woman. This vaccine stimulates the production of antibodies against tetanus toxin, which are then transferred to the fetus, providing protection against neonatal tetanus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends administering tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine to pregnant women at least twice, with the first dose given at 28 weeks of gestation and the second dose 4 weeks later.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option likely involves administering a different type of vaccine or no vaccine at all. However, this would leave the mother and the fetus unprotected against tetanus.
* **Option B:** This option might involve administering tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine at a different time or in a different manner, but the correct timing is crucial for optimal protection.
* **Option C:** This option might involve other measures to prevent neonatal tetanus, such as wound care and hygiene, but administering tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine is the primary method of prevention.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends administering tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine to pregnant women at least twice, with the first dose given at 28 weeks of gestation and the second dose 4 weeks later, to prevent neonatal tetanus.
**Correct Answer:** C.