Congenital Syphilis

Pronounced: siff-ill-iss
by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Definition

Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria. Congenital syphilis is an infection that a baby is born with. In this case, the infection is passed from a mother to her baby.

This is a potentially serious condition that requires care from your doctor. If untreated, a baby with congenital syphilis can have problems throughout life. It can also cause a stillbirth or death in early infancy.

Spread of Syphilis During Pregnancy

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Causes

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the bacteria called Treponema pallidum. This infection can pass to a baby through an infected mother. The baby may be infected during pregnancy or the birth process.

Risk Factors    TOP

A baby has an increased risk of developing congenital syphilis if the mother:

  • Does not receive prenatal care
  • Abuses drugs before or during pregnancy
  • Is involved in prostitution
  • Has unprotected sex

Symptoms    TOP

If your baby has any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to congenital syphilis. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. Potential symptoms include:

  • Rash around the mouth, anus, genitals
  • Poor weight gain (failure to thrive)
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Fever
  • Severe pneumonia
  • Deformities of the nose, upper arm, shins
  • Tooth abnormalities
  • Neurological problems
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Irritability

Diagnosis    TOP

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam may be done. Tests may include the following:

  • Blood tests of the mother and the baby to identify the presence of syphilis
  • Tests on the placenta
  • Spinal tap to look for the presence of syphilis in the spinal fluid
  • Eye exam
  • Bone x-rays

Treatment    TOP

Syphilis is treated with an antibiotic called penicillin. It may be given to the mother during pregnancy. The medicine in pregnancy will treat the child as well the mother. Penicillin will also be given to infected babies after birth.

Other steps may be needed if your child has complications from syphilis. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Prevention    TOP

To help reduce your chances of passing on congenital syphilis, take the following steps:

  • Practice safer sex.
  • If you become pregnant, get good prenatal care throughout pregnancy.
  • If you think you may have a sexually transmitted disease, get tested. Follow through on all your doctor’s recommendations.
  • Take your baby to all newborn and well-child checks. Follow your doctors recommendations for screening tests and immunizations.

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/
National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Caring for Kids
The Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html

References:

Congenital syphilis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . October 24, 2011. Accessed August 17, 2012.
Congenital Syphillis treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/congenital-syphilis.htm . Accessed August 17, 2012.
Syphillis CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm . Accessed August 17, 2012.

Gershon AA, Hotez PJ, Katz SL, eds. Krugman’s Infectious Diseases of Children . St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc; 2004: 574-588.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 09/27/2012