What Is Congenital Syphilis? Symptoms and Treatment

What Is Congenital Syphilis Symptoms and Treatment
STD
July 31, 2024

Congenital syphilis is a serious disease that affects babies whose mothers had syphilis and were not properly treated. It can cause severe issues or even death. It is important to treat expectant mothers with syphilis during pregnancy to minimize the risk of infection or the severity of the disease. This blog will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments of congenital symptoms.

What is Congenital Syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is a contagious disease caused by a bacteria called treponema pallidum. Babies get it when bacteria pass from an infected mother through the placenta before birth. If the mother has syphilis before or during pregnancy, it passes on to the baby. The longer the mother has syphilis during pregnancy, the higher the chance her baby will get congenital syphilis. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of syphilis, getting treated early on is very important to protect your baby’s health.

How Does Congenital Syphilis Affect a Baby?

A baby has a higher risk of contracting congenital syphilis if the mother acquires the infection while pregnant. This congenital form of the disease can lead to complications that could cause death or affect the child for their entire lifetime. The specific impacts on the baby depend on how long the mother was infected before receiving treatment. Congenital syphilis can cause problems during pregnancy itself or after the baby is delivered.

Here are some of the potential effects of congenital syphilis on a baby during pregnancy:

  • Low Birth Weight: Impaired fetal growth due to congenital syphilis means that babies may be born weighing less than 5 lbs, which can cause complications and developmental delays.
  • Premature Birth: The infection may trigger preterm labor before 37 weeks. Premature babies are vulnerable to several types of complications.
  • Placenta and Umbilical Cord Issues: Abnormal placenta enlargement and umbilical cord swelling or inflammation can disrupt the fetus’s oxygen and nutrient supply.
  • Miscarriage or Stillbirth: Congenital syphilis inflammation can damage the placenta that nourishes the fetus, causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Congenital Syphilis Symptoms

Babies born with syphilis passed from the mother may not show symptoms for weeks, months, or sometimes years. Some symptoms may develop before they are two years old.

Early congenital syphilis

The early-stage signs include fever and failure to gain weight. Babies may also have:

  • Red rashes on the palms and feet
  • Cracked, irritated skin around the mouth, genitals, or anus
  • Watery mucus coming from the nose
  • Painful limbs that are difficult to move
  • An enlarged spleen or liver

Late congenital syphilis 

Late congenital syphilis symptoms may show up between ages 2-5 or continue to develop throughout childhood. Signs include:

  • Bone pain
  • Vision problems or blindness
  • Deformed facial features like a saddle-shaped nose
  • Protruding forehead, high arched palate
  • Eye inflammation causes blurred vision, tearing, and light sensitivity
  • Reduced hearing or deafness
  • Joint swelling
  • Saber shins

Congenital Syphilis Treatment

Penicillin is the main antibiotic used to treat congenital syphilis. Pregnant women with syphilis can receive penicillin injections. Infected newborns receive penicillin through an intravenous (IV) line or injections.

The penicillin dosage depends on how long syphilis has been present. Early-stage syphilis often requires just a single penicillin dose. However, longer infections require multiple penicillin doses. Newborns must receive treatment, even if the mother was treated during pregnancy. Additionally, medicines like corticosteroids may help with certain symptoms.

If a patient is allergic to penicillin, doctors sometimes use an alternate antibiotic or slowly expose the body to penicillin over hours to allow safe treatment. Prompt penicillin treatment can cure the infection and prevent infant complications.

Is Syphilis a Curable Treatment?

Yes, syphilis is curable with antibiotic treatment from a healthcare provider. When caught and treated early with penicillin, the bacterial infection can be eliminated before causing permanent damage.

How Can You Prevent Congenital Syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is totally preventable if the right steps are taken. The only way for a baby to get infected is if the mother has syphilis and passes it on during pregnancy or delivery. Pregnant women need to protect themselves from getting syphilis in the first place. Here are some ways to do that:

  • Use condoms every time you have sex
  • Get tested for syphilis regularly, especially if you have multiple sexual partners
  • If you are pregnant, get tested for syphilis at your first prenatal checkup and throughout pregnancy
  • If you have syphilis while pregnant, get treated with antibiotics right away
  • Be honest with your doctor about your sexual activities
  • Make sure any person you had sex with also gets tested and treated if they have syphilis

Conclusion

Although congenital syphilis can have major adverse effects on babies, the risks can be avoided with proper precautions. Regular testing and penicillin treatment for pregnant women who have syphilis can prevent transmission to the fetus. Expectant mothers should use protection during sex, get screened routinely, and seek care immediately if infected. Catching syphilis early can reduce or eliminate the risk of lifelong issues for your baby. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Equality Health Group if you have concerns about congenital syphilis. Our comprehensive sexual health services include prevention education, screening tests, and treatment options to help you maintain sexual health.

New Clinic Hours Starting January 10th

We’re updating our clinic hours! Here’s what you need to know:

  • Starting the week of January 6th, our new hours will be: Tuesday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • We will now be open on Fridays instead of Mondays.
  • These changes take effect on Wednesday, January 10th.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to serving you during our new hours!