Syphilis in pregnancy: identifying and managing a historic problem on the rise

AbstractKey contentCases of syphilis in the UK rose by 162% between 2008 and 2018, prompting the publication of a Public Health England Action Plan in June 2019.While congenital syphilis remains rare, there have been recent cases in babies of women in England who had screened negative for the disease at booking; these women therefore acquired the infection in pregnancy.Timely diagnosis and treatment is critical because vertical transmission can be greatly reduced by these interventions.Learning objectivesTo highlight the clinical signs seen in early syphilis to enable timely diagnosis.To outline antenatal features seen in the fetus.To become familiar with the interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosing syphilis.To understand treatment options for syphilis.To describe the likely outcomes and possible adverse sequelae associated with congenital syphilis.Ethical issuesWith cases of congenital syphilis occurring in babies of women who acquire the disease in pregnancy, which, if any, women should be offered repeat screening?
Source: The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Category: OBGYN Authors: Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research