More than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022 — 10 times more than a decade ago and a 32% increase from 2021, according to the CDC. We sat down with community Obstetrician and Gynecologist Noopur Ghade, MD for a Q&A to learn more.
Have you seen this increase in newborn congenital syphilis cases reflected in your patients?
The rate of rise is very alarming and has been seen most in the South and Southwest, in Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Fortunately, I have not seen this increase reflected in my patients to this point, but I think this is a very important issue for patients and doctors to be aware of.
What are the risks associated with a newborn contracting syphilis?
Congenital syphilis (when a baby is born with syphilis) can be a very serious condition. It can be transmitted through the placenta of a pregnant person with syphilis or sometimes through an infectious syphilis lesion during the birthing process. Having syphilis later in pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus than having it earlier.
What are the symptoms?
Congenital syphilis can have many symptoms and carries with it a risk of infant death. Some of the symptoms are fever, rash, kidney disease, meningitis, jaundice, prematurity and even stillbirth. Later symptoms are hearing loss, seizures, eye disease, malformed bones and intellectual disability.
Are all pregnant people tested for syphilis as part of routine treatment? How is it treated during pregnancy?
Yes, it is recommended that all pregnant people are tested for syphilis as part of routine treatment with a blood test at their first pregnancy visit. We then repeat this test at around 28 weeks of pregnancy. If someone is positive either time, they would be treated with a drug called benzathine penicillin G. Treatment of syphilis cures the infection in 98% of cases and usually prevents congenital syphilis.
Is there a shortage of the drugs needed to treat syphilis at Tufts Medicine or are treatment options readily available?
There is a shortage of the type of penicillin needed to treat this infection nationwide and unfortunately at Tufts Medicine as well. Currently, we do have some supply so thankfully patients can still be treated when needed, but this shortage is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Learn more from the CDC.
Noopur Ghade, MD is a community-based obstetrician and gynecologist specializing in women's healthcare, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, fibroids, endometriosis, cervical cancer screening, abnormal uterine bleeding, general obstetrical care and STD screening and treatment. She is currently accepting patients at practices in Braintree and Quincy.
