Congenital Syphilis
Congenital syphilis occurs when a baby is born with a syphilis infection, which can only happen if the mother has syphilis and transmits it to her baby. Typically, syphilis is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, but it can also be transmitted during vaginal birth if the baby comes into contact with a syphilis sore. Vaginal birth involves the baby being delivered through the vagina with the help of uterine contractions.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which means it can be acquired through unprotected sex or intimate physical contact with someone who is infected. Additionally, syphilis can be spread by direct contact with an infected person’s syphilis sore. If a pregnant woman has syphilis and does not receive treatment, she can pass the infection to her baby. Untreated syphilis can lead to severe complications for the baby, including death.
Causes and Transmission
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. During pregnancy, if a mother has syphilis, the bacteria can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby. This transmission can occur at any stage of pregnancy, from early in the first trimester to the later stages. The bacteria can spread from the mother's bloodstream into the baby's bloodstream, leading to congenital syphilis, which can cause serious health problems for the newborn.
How can it effect my pregnancy?
Miscarriage
Preterm Birth
Low Birthweight
Problems with the placenta and the umbilical cord
Stillbirth
How can it effect my baby?
Neonatal Death
Fever
Problems with the spleen and liver
Anemia
Rash
Meningitis
Bone and Joint Problems
Vision or Hearing Problems
Dental Abnormalities
Problems with the nervous system, including paralysis and seizures
Developmental Delays
How can it effect my child long term?
Infant Diagnosis
To check for congenital syphilis in your baby, the provider may use several diagnostic tests. These include blood tests to detect the presence of syphilis, a physical examination to assess overall health, and an eye exam to evaluate vision. Additionally, imaging tests such as X-rays, which use radiation to create body images, and ultrasounds, which use sound waves to produce pictures of the baby in the womb, may be employed. A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, may also be performed, where a small needle is inserted into the baby's lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid for laboratory analysis. This fluid, surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can provide crucial information for diagnosing congenital syphilis.
Infant Treatment
If your baby has congenital syphilis, the provider will treat her with an antibiotic called penicillin. This medication targets and eliminates the infection. Penicillin may be administered either as an injection or through an intravenous (IV) line, which involves delivering the medicine through a needle inserted into a vein in the hand, foot, arm, leg, or scalp.
The specific treatment your baby receives will depend on the severity of her infection and overall condition. While congenital syphilis can be completely cured in some cases, others may require additional treatment for health issues resulting from the infection. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications. Ensure your baby attends all medical checkups to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.
Prevention
Congenital syphilis is entirely preventable. By protecting yourself from the infection, you also protect your baby. Since the only way your baby can contract congenital syphilis is through transmission from you during pregnancy and birth, maintaining your own health is key to preventing the infection in your baby.
Safe Sex
Engage in sexual activity with only one partner who doesn't have other sexual partners. If you're uncertain whether your partner has an STD, use a barrier method of birth control. Barrier methods include male and female condoms, as well as dental dams. A dental dam is a square piece of rubber that can help protect against STDs during oral sex.
Go to all prenatal care checkups
Many cases of syphilis occur in women who do not receive regular prenatal care. During your prenatal checkups, your provider will ask questions to determine if you may be at risk for syphilis and other infections that could impact your pregnancy. If you're at risk, your provider will perform a blood test to check for the infection.
Get tested and treated
If you suspect you may have syphilis, inform your provider immediately. They can test you for the infection and start treatment if necessary. The earlier you're treated, the lower the risk of complications for both you and your baby.
Have your partner get tested and treated
If you're treated for syphilis, the infection is cured. However, if your partner is still infected, you can contract the infection again, known as reinfection. To protect yourself, ask your partner to get tested and treated as well.
Public Health Management Corporation
More babies are being born with congenital syphilis every year in the United States. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection and congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant person with syphilis passes the infection to the baby during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis can cause serious problems for both the pregnancy and the baby, and it is preventable through identifying and treating the infection during pregnancy. This brief video describes congenital syphilis and the importance of prenatal care for prevention. The video also discusses opportunities for people working outside traditional healthcare settings to help their clients get prenatal care, which can improve pregnancy outcomes and prevent congenital syphilis. This presentation was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and was developed in partnership with the Research & Evaluation Group at Public Health Management Corporation and the National Network of Public Health Institutes.
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