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Acquired syphilis in a 3-year-old boy: a case report

Changxia Li1,2,3,4,5, Yi Xu1,2,3,4,5, Shiyang Li1,2,3,4,5

  • 1Dermatology Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China.

Paediatrics and International Child Health
|October 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Syphilis can affect children through close contact, even with atypical skin lesions. Early syphilis testing and contact screening are vital for diagnosis and preventing transmission in pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Syphilis is a complex infectious disease with varied presentations.
  • Non-specific skin findings in children can mask serious underlying conditions like syphilis.
  • Familial transmission requires careful consideration in pediatric diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To emphasize the importance of syphilis testing in children presenting with atypical skin lesions.
  • To highlight the potential for non-traditional transmission routes within families.
  • To guide clinicians on comprehensive assessment and contact tracing for pediatric syphilis.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with syphilis.
  • Clinical assessment including detailed medical history and exposure enquiry.
  • Diagnostic testing for syphilis (RPR, TPPA) and screening of close contacts.

Main Results:

  • A 3-year-old boy presented with atypical skin lesions later diagnosed as syphilis.
  • Close daily contact with grandparents was identified as the probable source of infection.
  • Prompt screening identified the need for further family member evaluation.

Conclusions:

  • Syphilis testing should be prioritized in children with unexplained skin findings, especially with suspected familial exposure.
  • Thorough patient and family history, including lifestyle and feeding practices, is crucial.
  • Screening close contacts is essential for source identification and preventing further transmission.

Keywords:
Syphilisdiagnosiserythemaserological tests

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