Congenital syphilis and pregnancy

Syphilis and pregnancy

The bacterium that causes syphilis can cross the placenta during pregnancy, thus passing along congenital syphilis to the unborn child. About a third of babies born to mothers with early syphilis are born without infection and a third with congenital syphilis; a third of pregnancies will result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Treatment of the pregnant mother lowers the risk of congenital syphilis in the infant. A baby who becomes infected during delivery has a better prognosis than a baby who is infected in the womb.

Complications from a syphilis infection to the fetus may cause blindness or even death. Symptoms may also appear several weeks after birth, such as a body rash. The prognosis is poor if symptoms of congenital syphilis are present in the first few weeks after birth. Prenatal screening for syphilis and treatment for women during pregnancy can prevent congenital syphilis.