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Placental weights of neonates born with symptomatic congenital syphilis

Shakti Pillay1,2, Alan R Horn1,2, Lloyd Tooke1,2

  • 1Neonatal Unit, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|October 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A heavy placenta is a common indicator in infants with symptomatic congenital syphilis. This finding is particularly frequent in larger neonates, highlighting its significance in diagnosing fetal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Congenital syphilis poses significant global health risks, including adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
  • Placental pathology, such as increased weight, is a recognized consequence of fetal syphilis infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of heavy placentae in neonates diagnosed with symptomatic congenital syphilis.
  • To compare placental weights against population-based centiles in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of placental weights from a cohort of 37 neonates with symptomatic congenital syphilis.
  • Comparison of placental weights to established population-based placental centiles.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence (76%) of heavy placentae (above the 90th centile) was observed.
  • All infants with birth weights of 2,500g or higher exhibited heavy placentae.
  • No significant correlation was found between placental centile and neonatal mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Heavy placenta is a frequent and significant finding in neonates with symptomatic congenital syphilis.
  • The association is more pronounced in larger neonates, suggesting its utility as a clinical indicator.
Abstract

Keywords:
congenitalheavyinfectionplacentasyphilis

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