Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
[Clinical features of 121 infants below 3 months of age with congenital syphilis]
Hui-jun Shen1, Mei-yue Sun, Ai-min Liu
1Department of Pediatric Internal Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Insights
Congenital syphilis in infants presents with diverse, nonspecific symptoms, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. Early detection and treatment are crucial for better outcomes in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatology
Context:
- Congenital syphilis poses a diagnostic challenge in infants.
- Early-onset symptoms can be varied and nonspecific.
- Accurate diagnosis is critical for timely intervention.
Purpose:
- To investigate the clinical features and diagnostic challenges of congenital syphilis in infants under 3 months.
- To analyze the diverse manifestations and misdiagnosis rates.
- To highlight the importance of early recognition.
Summary:
- A review of 121 infants with congenital syphilis revealed varied clinical signs affecting multiple systems.
- Common findings included elevated leukocyte count, skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and bone abnormalities.
- A significant misdiagnosis rate of 17.4% was observed due to the nonspecific nature of symptoms.
Impact:
- Emphasizes the need for heightened clinical suspicion for congenital syphilis in neonates.
- Underscores the importance of robust screening programs and prenatal care to prevent transmission.
- Informs clinical practice for improved diagnosis and management of this serious condition.
Objective:
To investigate the clinical features and diagnosis of infants under 3 months of age with congenital syphilis.
Method:
Data of 121 infants below 3 months of age with congenital syphilis were collected from January 1997 to May 2007 at the authors' hospital. Their clinical features, laboratory findings and treatment were reviewed.
Result:
Clinical manifestations of congenital syphilis in the infants were diverse. The disease involved multiple systems such as the skin, respiratory, digestive, blood, and nervous system, skeleton and so on. Among the 121 infants, the manifestations included increased leukocyte count (89.3%), skin damage (59.5%), hepatomegaly (56.2%), splenomegaly (41.3%), anemia (38.8%), fever (28.9%), pathologic jaundice (24.0%), growth retardation after birth (12.4%) and bone damage (54.3%), etc. The rate of misdiagnosis was 17.4 percent, and the kinds of disease misdiagnosed were up to 10.
Conclusion:
Clinical manifestations of congenital syphilis in infants under 3 months of age were complicated and nonspecific, therefore doctors misdiagnosed it very easily. Clinicians should attach great importance to it. At the same time, the restoration of antemarital examination, vigorously carrying out screening for syphilis and strengthening the management of immigrants are necessary to prevent congenital syphilis.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
01:28Diphtheria