Syphilis in pregnancy is very dangerous due to risk of being infected. Transmission may occur through passage of the bacterium through the placenta, contaminated the fetus even during gestation, or at the time of delivery.
Syphilis can be passed on to the baby if the woman becomes pregnant with syphilis or gets the disease after she is already pregnant.
The occurrence of syphilis during pregnancy is of great concern because of the risks of complications such as abortion or poor fetal formation. Most of the symptoms manifest themselves in the first months of life, such as pneumonia, body wounds, hearing loss and vision, bone problems and neurological impairment
Congenital congenital syphilis can lead to limitations in intrauterine growth with consequent fetal malformation, neurological sequelae, abortion, preterm birth, and neonatal death.
Damage to the fetus will depend on the stage of infection during pregnancy and the time the pregnant woman was left untreated.
The treatment of syphilis is done with antibiotics, usually penicillin. If the baby is infected, he should remain hospitalized for a time to investigate possible complications. The child should also be followed up to 18 months to ensure completion of treatment and absence of sequelae.
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Syphilis is detected by a blood test requested in the routine of prenatal visits. The pregnant woman should make the appointments periodically and perform the tests requested by the team.
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