[Sero-epidemiology of congenital syphilis in Kinshasa, Zaire]

Between March 1 and May 31, 1988, 314 mother-baby couples have been tested for syphilis at confinement in two large hospitals of Kinshasa (Hôpital Mama Yemo and Clinique de Ngaliema). The study used in first instance the Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. When positive, the results were verified quantitatively with the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination (TPHA) reaction. The prevalence levels obtained were low: 0.9% in the newborns and 1.6% in the mothers. In spite of the relative rarity of the disease, clinical examination of all newborns should remain a permanent concern for the clinician, especially for the pediatrician, in order to make sure that the diagnosis be made as soon as possible and treatment started without undue delay. The authors insist on the necessity to adopt, in Kinshasa, measures for veneral disease control aiming at reducing the prevalence of congenital syphilis.