Congenital syphilis distribution in the State of Tocantins, Brazil, 2007-2015. / Distribuição da sífilis congênita no estado do Tocantins, 2007-2015.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis (CS) in Tocantins, from 2007 to 2015. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC). RESULTS: 1,029 CS cases were reported; mean CS incidence was 4.6/1,000 Live Births (LB), increasing from 3.1/1,000 LB in 2007 to 9.8/1,000 LB in 2015 (increase of 216.1%); municipalities located in the central and northern regions of the state had the highest rates; the majority of mothers of newborn babies were 15-24 years old, had elementary school education, started prenatal care in the third trimester of pregnancy, and received inadequate prenatal care. CONCLUSION: high occurrence of congenital syphilis in Tocantins requires immediate intensification of CS surveillance and improved prenatal care quality, especially in municipalities with higher incidence.