The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released research on Tuesday that showed the number of baby syphilis infections in the United States had increased by an alarming 32% over the previous year. Almost 3,700 cases were documented in the previous year, pushing the total to “dire levels,” according to the research. This figure has increased considerably from the 2,855 cases reported in 2021 and the 335 cases reported in 2012. Â
Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact that can lay dormant in the body for years. The infection may appear to clean up briefly, but if not treated, the symptoms will resurface months or even years later. Late-stage syphilis is lethal owing to difficulties with the central nervous system and other organs, and as a result, it is uncommon. Â
Congenital syphilis is caused by the transfer of syphilis from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. Stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature death are all possible results of this condition, as are developmental issues such as blindness and deafness. Congenital syphilis has been responsible for the deaths of 51 babies and the stillbirths of 231 others in the last year alone. Â
Early detection and treatment during pregnancy, according to the CDC’s data, might have avoided approximately 90% of these instances. It’s concerning that 40% of prenatal treatment paperwork was missing. Dr. Irene Stafford, a UTHealth Houston physician who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine, is surprised by how many of these instances may be avoided with better screening and treatment. Â
According to the CDC, neonates born to Black, Hispanic, or American Indian/Alaska Native mothers are up to eight times more likely than infants born to white moms to have congenital syphilis in 2021.During their first prenatal checkup, all pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Robert McDonald, medical officer at the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention and the report’s primary author, suggests that tests begin as soon as feasible in the medical care process. The paper advocates for greater syphilis testing and treatment in settings where people have less access to healthcare and are more likely to get the illness, such as emergency departments, jails, and drug misuse treatment centers. McDonald believes that insurance companies should continue to pay for these checks.Â
According to the CDC, the current outbreak of congenital syphilis has resulted in the largest number of cases in the United States in more than three decades. The bulk of syphilis cases in the United States used to be made up of homosexual, bisexual, and other guys who only had intercourse with other men; but, in the last decade, the disease has expanded to a broader range of people, including heterosexual men and women. Â
In 2021, 70% of the United States’ population resided in counties with extremely high syphilis rates among women of reproductive age. Initial syphilis symptoms may include non-painful skin lesions, followed by a non-itchy rash. Syphilis symptoms during pregnancy are often absent or difficult to detect. Many pregnant women, as well as certain medical professionals, may be unaware that they are at risk of catching the virus. Â
A lack of transportation, difficulties acquiring health insurance, job and caring duties, and language challenges are all factors that may prevent pregnant women from receiving regular prenatal treatment. People usually visit emergency rooms when they have major medical problems. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus has made receiving prenatal care even more difficult. Fewer STI tests were done as a result of numerous clinics and doctors’ offices shortening their hours or converting to virtual consultations. Â
Despite the knowledge that sexually active people in high-infection areas should be tested for syphilis, most emergency departments do not consistently do so. There are challenges to overcome, such as concerns about getting compensated for blood tests and a lack of manpower. Instead of sending blood samples to a lab, several hospitals have begun using finger-stick tests to detect syphilis. These tests, however, have a lower level of precision. Â
Another impediment to timely care is patients’ frequent failure to attend planned follow-up sessions. According to CDC data, just 12% of over 2,200 instances of congenital syphilis in the previous year where the birth parent was tested on time received adequate treatment. Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend for more screening, particularly for high-risk individuals. Rapid testing, diagnosis, and treatment are essential to stem the spread of congenital syphilis in the United States.Â
News Reference Â
U.S. Syphilis Cases in Newborns Continue to Increase: A 10-Times Increase Over a Decade. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s1107-newborn-syphilis.htmlÂ
