Syphilis Resurgence: An 11-Fold Increase in Cases Among Newborns in the U.S.

A surge in syphilis cases among newborns in the United States
Syphilis rate decreases with prenatal care

A surge in the number of newborns born with syphilis in the United States has been reported.

According to data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) on the 7th (local time), there were 3,761 reported cases of congenital syphilis in the U.S. last year.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus. If a woman contracts syphilis during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Even if the baby is born, they may suffer from visual or hearing impairment, bone deformities, or severe developmental delays. According to the CDCP, about 51 babies with syphilis died last year.

The CDCP stated, “Last year, about 90% of pregnant women did not receive timely testing and treatment,” and “If testing and treatment for syphilis improve during pregnancy, the incidence of congenital syphilis and its complications can be reduced.”

About 38% of newborns with congenital syphilis last year were born to mothers who did not receive prenatal care. Even among those who did receive prenatal care, about 30% never had a syphilis test or had it too late. Additionally, 88% of mothers who tested positive for syphilis did not receive appropriate treatment.

Laura Bachman, the chief medical officer of the CDCP’s STD Prevention Division, stated, “The number of newborns with syphilis continues to increase, and the situation is serious. Even one case of (congenital syphilis) shows a collapse of the public health infrastructure, and now there are 3,700 cases.”

Condom use and other precautions need to be taken

Syphilis was almost eradicated in the U.S. about 20 years ago, but it has surged between 2017 and 2022. Other sexually transmitted diseases have also increased. As of 2021, there were 1.6 million patients with chlamydia and 700,000 with gonorrhea.

The CDCP attributes the increase in sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in regular preventive checkups, and reduced clinic hours. Dr. Melanie Taylor, an infectious disease epidemiologist from the Arizona Department of Public Health, suggests that “the risk could be higher due to the lack of proper use of protective devices like condoms.”

Syphilis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, and even if the baby survives, they may suffer from blindness or severe developmental delays.

Syphilis can be treated with penicillin injections. If syphilis has not significantly progressed to affect the central nervous system, a treatment regimen of penicillin injections once a week for three weeks is implemented. The CDCP recommends that pregnant women get tested for syphilis during prenatal care or as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. If an infection is suspected, it is recommended to get tested for syphilis at 28 weeks of pregnancy and delivery.

By. Ko Ki Jung