The Rising Threat of Syphilis in Babies
You might not expect "babies" and "syphilis" to appear in the same sentence—but this curable infection is increasingly affecting newborns. When a pregnant parent has untreated syphilis, it can pass to their baby, leading to congenital syphilis—a dangerous but preventable condition.
🔍 Alarming Trend:
In 2022, 3,700+ U.S. babies were born with syphilis—10x higher than a decade ago.
Minnesota has seen a sharp rise in cases.
Why Is This Still Happening?
Despite being treatable, barriers like:
✔ Limited prenatal care access (especially in "obstetric deserts")
✔ Missed testing/treatment during pregnancy
✔ Rising IV drug use (linked to riskier behaviors)
…are fueling the surge.
How Do Babies Get Syphilis?
1. During Pregnancy
Syphilis crosses the placenta, infecting the fetus.
Risk depends on the stage of infection:
Primary syphilis (new infection): 50% transmission risk
Latent syphilis (no symptoms): 35% risk
2. At Birth or Shortly After
Contact with infectious lesions during delivery.
Rarely, via breastfeeding if open sores are present.
⚠️ Without treatment, outcomes can be devastating:
Stillbirth
Neonatal death
Lifelong disabilities (deafness, bone deformities, neurological damage)
Signs of Congenital Syphilis
Before Birth (Ultrasound Findings)
🔸 Enlarged liver/spleen
🔸 Excess amniotic fluid
🔸 Fluid under the skin (ascites)
After Birth
Early Symptoms (0–2 years):
Anemia, jaundice
Skin rashes, mucous membrane sores
Swollen liver/spleen
"Hutchinson teeth" (notched, peg-shaped teeth)
Late Symptoms (2+ years):
Bone abnormalities ("saber shins")
Deafness (from nerve damage)
Vision loss, developmental delays
Testing & Treatment: Simple but Critical
For Expecting Parents
✔ Get tested early in pregnancy (and repeat if high-risk).
✔ Penicillin (Bicillin) is the cure—safe during pregnancy.
✔ Untreated? Risk of fetal death jumps to 40%.
For Babies
Treatment depends on risk level:
Confirmed infection: 10-day IV penicillin
Possible infection: Testing (blood, spinal fluid, X-rays) + treatment
Low risk: Single penicillin dose + monitoring
💡 Key Fact: Treating syphilis before 18 weeks of pregnancy prevents most complications.
How to Protect Yourself & Your Baby
1. Prenatal Care Saves Lives
All pregnant individuals should be tested:
First trimester
Third trimester (if high-risk)
Ask your provider: "Are STI tests, including syphilis, part of my prenatal panel?"
2. Prevention Beyond Pregnancy
Condoms help but aren’t foolproof (syphilis spreads via skin-to-skin contact with lesions).
Get tested if:
You or your partner have new sores/rash
You’ve had unprotected sex
You use IV drugs
3. Know the Symptoms
Painless ulcers (chancres)
Rash (often on palms/soles)
Swollen lymph nodes
Final Thought: Early Action = Lifelong Protection
🌿 "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Syphilis is serious but stoppable. By:
✅ Testing early
✅ Treating promptly
✅ Advocating for your care
…you can protect your baby’s future.
Need guidance? Explore our Prenatal Health Checklist (internal link).
