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?

The infants born to mothers who have not previously received 2 doses of tetanus toxoid are exposed to the risk of neonatal tetanus. They can be protected by injection of antitoxin (heterologous serum, 750IU), if it is administered within 6 hours of bih. No pregnant mother should be denied even one dose of tetanus toxoid if she is seen late in pregnancy. Ref: Park's Textbook Of Preventive And Social Medicine, By K. Park, 19th Edition, Page 262, 263.