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A recent CDC report found an alarming rate of cases of congenital syphilis in infants in the United States. According to the agency, the infection rate has increased by 153.3% since 2013.
This is the highest number of cases of congenital syphilis reported for 20 years, the agency said. The increase occurs in a context of rising numbers of women of reproductive age in the United States, and significantly exceeds the number of STD cases in the United States in 2017. The CDC reported an increase in 24.9% of cases of syphilis were observed in women between 2016 and 2017.
"When it is transmitted to a baby, syphilis can lead to miscarriage, the death of a newborn, and serious physical and mental health problems for life." Jonathan H. Mermin, MD, MPH, The director of the National Center for Fighting HIV / AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs and CDC Tuberculosis Prevention said in a press release. "No parent should bear the death of a child while it could have been avoided through a simple test and safe treatment."
The researchers wrote that the increase in the number of cases of congenital syphilis began in 2013 – the first increase in cases reported since 2008. Between 2013 and 2017, the annual number of cases of congenital syphilis increased from 362 to 918. Stillbirth, and 13 infants died. Most cases have been reported in 37 states, particularly in the western and southern states.
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The CDC has stated that it is improving its support to states with a high burden of infection, and they are looking for the reason why this increase has occurred to guide preventive measures. The agency also works in partnership with community organizations such as the March of Dimes to raise awareness of risk factors.
The CDC insists that all pregnant women be tested for syphilis during their first prenatal visit. For people at high risk of infection, the organization suggests conducting follow-up tests. This recommendation is supported by the US Task Force on Preventive Services.
Additional research published by the CDC found that one in three women who gave birth to a baby with syphilis in 2016 was screened during pregnancy. They suggested that these women were infected after the test or were not treated on time.
Once syphilis is detected in pregnant women, it can be treated with antimicrobial therapy. However, if the infection is not treated, the woman has up to an 80% chance of passing syphilis to her child.
"To protect every baby, you have to start by protecting every mother" Gail Bolan, MD, director of the CDC's STD prevention division, said in the statement. "Early detection and timely treatment of infections are crucial first steps, but too many women are not supported by the system. If we want to reverse the resurgence of congenital syphilis, it must change. "- by Katherine Bortz
Resource:
CDC. Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/2017-STD-Surveillance-Report_CDC-clearance-9.10.18.pdf. Accessed September 25, 2018.
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