Article By Taniya Gisel, Board Member / Writer at Latino and Urban Autism Awareness & Acceptance 

The United States is witnessing a troubling surge in the number of babies born with syphilis, a preventable and treatable infection. Recent data reveals an alarming increase, with over 3,700 babies born with syphilis in 2022 – a tenfold rise since 2012. This surge reflects an overall increase in syphilis among women of reproductive age. The consequences of syphilis during pregnancy are severe, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, lifelong health problems, and even infant death. This article delves into the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to address this public health crisis.

The Disturbing Trends:

1. Sharp Increase in Newborn Cases: The surge in newborn syphilis cases, from 2012 to 2022, raises significant concerns about the effectiveness of current healthcare systems in preventing and treating syphilis during pregnancy.

2. Tragic Outcomes: In 2022 alone, there were 231 stillbirths and 51 infant deaths attributed to syphilis. These tragic outcomes highlight the urgent need for improved testing and treatment protocols.

Systemic Failures:

1. Barriers to Timely Testing: Late testing during pregnancy is a common factor contributing to newborn syphilis cases. Systemic issues, including limited healthcare access, systemic racism, and medication shortages, contribute to missed opportunities for timely testing.

2. Individual-Level Challenges: Substance use disorder and lack of insurance are individual-level barriers that hinder timely syphilis testing and treatment.

3. Missed Prenatal Care: Alarmingly, two in five cases of babies born with syphilis occurred in individuals who did not receive any prenatal care, emphasizing the importance of improving access to healthcare.

Addressing Geographic Risk and Reducing Stigma:

1. Community-Level Risk: Geographic risk is a significant factor, with the risk of syphilis often tied to living in communities with high infection rates. Addressing community-level risk is crucial to reducing stigma and bias in syphilis screening.

2. Targeted Screening: Offering syphilis screening to sexually active individuals aged 15-44 in high-risk counties can aid in early identification and prevention.

Preventive Strategies:

1. Optimizing Healthcare Encounters: Every healthcare encounter during pregnancy should be an opportunity for syphilis testing and prevention. This includes settings beyond traditional prenatal care, such as emergency departments, jails, and syringe services programs.

2. Community Outreach: Disease intervention specialists and public health professionals play a crucial role in community outreach, ensuring individuals are diagnosed and treated.

3. Rapid Testing and Treatment: Rapid syphilis tests present an opportunity to test and treat simultaneously, addressing barriers for those who may not have regular access to healthcare.

Call to Action:

For Healthcare Providers:

Understand who should be tested for syphilis, especially in high-risk counties.

Initiate conversations about sexual health and test for sexually transmitted infections, especially during the first encounter with pregnant individuals.

Implement repeat syphilis testing during pregnancy for those in high-risk counties or with increased susceptibility.

For Individuals:

Seek guidance from healthcare providers on preventing syphilis.

Engage in open discussions with partners about sexually transmitted infections and consider appropriate safer sex options.

Get tested for sexually transmitted infections, particularly when planning a pregnancy or already pregnant.

For Health Departments:

Identify high-risk counties and collaborate with physicians to encourage more testing and coordinated treatment.

Collaborate with community programs to address structural barriers, making testing and treatment more accessible.

The escalating cases of newborn syphilis demand immediate and comprehensive interventions. Strengthening testing and treatment protocols, addressing systemic and individual-level barriers, and promoting community outreach are critical steps to prevent the devastating consequences of syphilis during pregnancy. Timely and widespread action is imperative to protect the health and well-being of both mothers and newborns, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.

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DATA SOURCE: Syphilis in Babies Reflects Health System Failures | VitalSigns | CDC