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Symptomatic Early Congenital Syphilis: A Common but Forgotten Disease
Usman Rashid1, Usman Yaqoob1, Nazia Bibi1
1Department of Pediatric Medicine, Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore.
Insights
Congenital syphilis, a severe infection passed from mother to infant, poses diagnostic challenges due to asymptomatic cases. Early screening of pregnant women is crucial for prevention and timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital syphilis is a serious infection transmitted from infected mothers to fetuses, potentially causing severe infant complications.
- Despite established prevention measures, the prevalence of congenital syphilis persists, indicating control failures.
Observation:
- Early diagnosis is challenging as over half of affected infants are asymptomatic.
- Symptomatic infants may present with subtle, non-specific signs, complicating identification.
Findings:
- A case report details a one-month-old infant presenting with a skin rash, a manifestation of congenital syphilis.
- The case highlights the diagnostic difficulties associated with congenital syphilis.
Implications:
- Implementing universal syphilis screening for pregnant women during the first and late trimesters is recommended.
- Adherence to World Health Organization guidelines for antenatal screening can improve early detection and prevent severe infant outcomes.
Abstract:
Congenital syphilis is a severe, disabling infection often with grave consequences seen in infants. It occurs due to the transmission of the disease from an infected mother to the unborn infant through the placenta. Congenital syphilis can involve any organ system and present with various symptoms. However, early diagnosis of congenital syphilis is difficult because more than half of the affected infants are asymptomatic, and the signs in symptomatic infants may be subtle and nonspecific. The continuing prevalence of this disease reveals the failure of control measures established for its prevention. Here we report a case of a one-month infant who presented with skin rash. The report stresses upon the importance of implementing the World Health Organization's recommendation that all pregnant women should be screened for syphilis in the first antenatal visit in the first trimester and again in the late pregnancy.
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