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The reported cases of congenital syphilis have more than doubled since 2013, according to the CDC's annual report for sexually transmitted disease surveillance.
Reported cases of congenital syphilis increased from 362 in 2013 to 918 in 2017, the highest number of cases recorded in 20 years, the CDC said. Cases of congenital syphilis have been reported in 37 states, mainly in the western and southern states.
The increase in congenital syphilis reflects a similar increase in syphilis among women of childbearing age and exceeds national increases in overall sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to the CDC.
"When it is transmitted to a baby, syphilis can lead to miscarriage, the death of a newborn, and serious physical and mental health problems." No parent should bear the death of a baby. a child had been warned by a simple test and safe treatment. "Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV / AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs and tuberculosis prevention, said in a press release.
A test is not enough for some women
Syphilis during pregnancy is easily treated with the right antibiotics. If she is not treated, a pregnant woman with syphilis has up to an 80% chance of passing it on to her baby.
"To protect every baby, we need to start by protecting every mother, early detection and prompt treatment to cure any infection are crucial first steps, but too many women fall through the cracks." The resurgence of congenital syphilis change, "said Gail Bolan, MD, director of the CDC's STD Prevention Division.
According to the CDC, one in three women who gave birth to a baby with syphilis in 2016 was tested during pregnancy, but either had syphilis after this test, or was not treated in time to cure the condition. Infection in the unborn child.
The CDC recommends that all pregnant women be tested for syphilis at the first antenatal visit. But for many women, a test for syphilis may not be enough, the CDC said. They recommend that women at high risk of syphilis or living in high prevalence areas be tested at the first prenatal visit and again at the beginning of the third trimester and at birth.
As reported by Medscape Medical NewsEarlier this month, the US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmed its "A" recommendation that all pregnant women should be screened for syphilis early and asked to be tested for syphilis.
The CDC has stated that it is taking a number of measures to combat congenital syphilis, including by strengthening support for "high-burden" states to strengthen local prevention systems and improve their ability to identify and treat pregnant women with the disease. syphilis. to study the factors underlying the resurgence of congenital syphilis to guide prevention programs; and increase awareness among pregnant women about the risk factors for congenital syphilis through partnerships with community organizations such as the March of Dimes.
CDC. Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2017. Posted online September 25, 2018. Report
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