Congenital Syphilis

Congenital syphilis happens when a mother with syphilis passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy. It is a preventable condition, but rates in Texas and across the Panhandle have been rising in recent years. Congenital syphilis can cause serious health problems for newborns, including low birth weight, premature birth, and, in severe cases, stillbirth.

The good news is that congenital syphilis is entirely preventable with early testing and timely treatment during pregnancy. Challenges like delayed prenatal care, lack of insurance coverage, or difficulty accessing testing sites can increase the risk, but support is available. Through education, Medicaid navigation, and the help of Community Health Workers (CHWs), Vibrant Moms is working to ensure that every mother receives the care she needs and every baby has a healthy start.

Phase I Snapshot

Some women reported waiting weeks or months to see a provider because of Medicaid approval delays or lack of coverage, which meant syphilis testing was postponed.

Common Challenges

Delayed Testing

As the CDC notes, women diagnosed with syphilis late in pregnancy (after 36 weeks) are much more likely to deliver a baby with congenital syphilis. In the Panhandle, Medicaid delays and late entry into prenatal care make timely testing harder.

Stigma

Mothers in focus groups reported fear of being judged if they asked for STD testing during pregnancy, which kept some from seeking care.

Treatment Access

Limited local providers and long travel distances in rural counties mean treatment isn’t always available quickly. Some families also reported difficulty affording medication.

Partner Follow-Up

As reported by the CDC’s STD Treatment Guidelines (2021), treating the mother alone isn’t enough — partners must also be tested and treated, yet inconsistent partner follow-up continues to be a major barrier across Texas.

Postpartum Care

Follow-up after birth is critical, but mothers in the “Medicaid gap” often lose coverage soon after delivery, leaving gaps in care for both mom and baby.

Who Is At Higher Risk

(As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Mothers diagnosed with syphilis after 36 weeks’ gestation were about 25 times more likely to deliver an infant with congenital syphilis, compared with women diagnosed early in pregnancy.

Migrant status was associated with late diagnosis of maternal syphilis and thus secondarily linked to higher congenital syphilis risk

Having high nontreponemal antibody titers (e.g. high RPR levels) nearly doubled the risk of congenital syphilis with each twofold increase.

Risk behaviors like sex in conjunction with drug use or transactional sex are recognized maternal risk factors for syphilis during pregnancy.

Lack of prenatal care or late entry into care is a proven risk factor for congenital syphilis because it delays screening and treatment.

Support Strategies

Preventing congenital syphilis requires more than just awareness, it takes practical support that meets mothers where they are. Vibrant Moms and our partners are working to strengthen care across the Panhandle through:

CHW-Led Screening & Support

Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide one-on-one guidance, encourage early prenatal visits, and help mothers complete syphilis testing and follow-up care.

Clear Referral Pathways

Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide one-on-one guidance, encourage early prenatal visits, and help mothers complete syphilis testing and follow-up care.

Medicaid/CHIP Navigation

Many delays are caused by coverage gaps. Our teams assist families in applying for Medicaid or CHIP, ensuring they can access prenatal testing and syphilis treatment without delay.

Education & Awareness Campaigns

County-based outreach and bilingual materials help reduce stigma, raise awareness of routine testing, and remind families that congenital syphilis is preventable with early care.

Public Health Management Corporation

Congenital syphilis happens when a pregnant person with syphilis passes the infection to their baby during pregnancy. It can cause serious problems for both mother and child — but it is preventable with early testing and treatment during prenatal care.

This short video, developed with support from the CDC, Public Health Management Corporation, and the National Network of Public Health Institutes, explains what congenital syphilis is, why prenatal care matters, and how people both inside and outside healthcare settings can help connect families to care.

Want to Learn More?

March of Dimes

Protect Yourself and Your Baby from Syphilis

Gray County

Pregnancy and Maternity Resources

Potter/Randall

Healthy Amarillo Women

TTUHSC Infant Risk Center

County Specific Resources

The information provided on this site is intended as a resource hub to help mothers access and review important maternal health information. This is not intended to provide medical advice. Before making any health decisions, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for your individual needs.

Congenital Syphilis

Support Strategies

Public Health Management Corporation

Want to Learn More?

County Specific Resources

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