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[Syphilis and pregnancy]

Caroline Charlier1, Nadjet Benhaddou2, Nicolas Dupin2

  • 1Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Paris Cité, hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, 75015 Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, centre national de référence Listeria, centre collaborateur OMS Listeria, unité de biologie des infections, Inserm U1117, 75013 Paris, France.

Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|June 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Congenital syphilis poses severe risks, including fetal loss and neonatal death. Early screening and penicillin treatment for pregnant women are crucial for preventing transmission and improving infant outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Context:

  • Syphilis is a significant sexually transmitted infection with severe implications for congenital transmission.
  • Congenital syphilis leads to high rates of fetal loss (50%), prematurity (25%), and long-term sequelae in survivors (20%).

Purpose:

  • To highlight the critical importance of early screening and management of syphilis in pregnant women.
  • To emphasize the role of timely penicillin therapy in both maternal and neonatal cases.

Summary:

  • Recommendations include syphilis testing for all women delivering stillborn infants after 20 weeks gestation.
  • Repeated screening is advised for high-risk pregnancies.
  • Effective management involves early benzathine penicillin administration for mothers and prompt penicillin therapy for neonates.

Impact:

  • Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the incidence and impact of congenital syphilis.
  • Implementing screening protocols can prevent devastating fetal and neonatal outcomes.
  • Improved maternal and neonatal care pathways can mitigate long-term health consequences for affected children.

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