Syphilis Cases Increased Among Pregnant Women in the U.S.

A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found the rate of primary and secondary syphilis among women increased, and the rate of congenital syphilis increased too.

During 2012–2016, the number of syphilis cases among pregnant women increased 61%, from 1,561 to 2,508 among all women aged 15–45 years, and in all U.S. regions.  The most commonly reported risk behaviors were a history of a sexually transmitted disease (43%) and more than one sex partner in the past year (30%).  Over the same period the rate of congenital syphilis increased 87 percent.  Approximately 40 percent of newborns with syphilis are stillborn and those infected if left untreated develop serious complications such as jaundice, blindness and deafness.  Treatment of pregnant women with penicillin is 98% effective in preventing congenital syphilis.

The authors concluded that efforts to reduce syphilis among pregnant women should involve screening all pregnant women for syphilis at the first prenatal visit and rescreening high-risk women during the third trimester and at delivery.