Epidemiological characterization of congenital syphilis in a health region of the northern zone in the state of Ceará, Brazil

The study sought to investigate the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis in a health region in the State of Ceará, in the period from 2015 to 2019. This is a descriptive epidemiological study, with a quantitative approach, with secondary data collected through the Health System. Information on Notifiable Diseases and Live Birth Information System. There were a total of 248 cases:65cases in 2015, 50 in 2016, 45 in 2017, 51 in 2018 and 37 in 2019. The incidence of congenital syphilis was: 8.1(2015), 6.1(2016), 5.1 (2017), 5.3(2018) and 3.9(2019). In 62.9% of cases from all the years, women were between 20 and 34 years old and in 45.5% of cases they had less than eight years of educational instruction. 57.2% never had a miscarriage, 63.3% had vaginal deliveries and 59.2% had full-term deliveries. Most women received prenatal care (95.9%). In 49.5% of cases, the diagnosis of maternal syphilis occurred during prenatal care. Only 67 (27%) of the pregnant women were treated properly and only 52 (29%) had their partners treated. The study shows aflaw in prenatal care with low effectiveness of the prevention actions, determining factors in the control of congenital syphilis.

Estimativa da subnotificação dos óbitos por sífilis congênita no Recife, Pernambuco, 2010-2016: relacionamento entre os sistemas de informações sobre mortalidade e de agravos de notificação / Estimación de la subnotificación de muertes por sífilis congénita en Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, 2010-2016: vinculación entre los sistemas de información sobre mortalidad y el agravamiento de las notificaciones / Estimated underreporting of congenital syphilis deaths in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2010-2016: linkage between the mortality information system and the notifiable health conditions information system

Objetivo: Estimar as subnotificações de óbitos fetais e infantis que tiveram a sífilis congênita como causa básica ou associada, ocorridos no Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, entre 2010 e 2016. Métodos: Aplicou-se o relacionamento de bases de dados, do tipo probabilístico, entre os casos de sífilis congênita, registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), e os óbitos fetais e infantis totais e por sífilis congênita, estes registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Resultados: Foram pareados 170 registros de óbitos fetais e infantis por sífilis congênita. Houve subnotificação de óbitos fetais e infantis por sífilis congênita de 80,9% no Sinan e de 7,0% no SIM, representando um incremento ao banco final de 2,3% e 7,0% respectivamente. Conclusão: A subnotificação identificada compromete o conhecimento da real magnitude da doença e, por conseguinte, as ações de prevenção e controle pelos gestores da saúde.

Objetivo: estimar el subregistro de muertes fetales e infantiles que tuvieron sífilis congénita como causa básica o asociada, ocurrido en Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, entre 2010 y 2016. Métodos: se aplicó un vínculo probabilístico entre los casos notificados de sífilis congénita en el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación Obligatoria (Sinan) y las muertes fetales e infantiles totales y por sífilis congénita registradas en el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad (SIM). Resultados: Se compararon 170 notificaciones y registros de muertes fetales e infantiles por sífilis congénita. Hubo subnotificación de muertes fetales e infantiles del 80,9% en el Sistema de Información para Enfermedades de Notificación y 7,0% en el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Hubo un aumento en el banco final de 2,3% y 7,0%, respectivamente. Conclusión: El subregistro identificado compromete el conocimiento de la magnitud real de la enfermedad y compromete las acciones de control por parte de los gestores de salud.

Objective: To estimate underreporting of fetus and infant deaths having congenital syphilis as their underlying or associated cause in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2010-2016. Methods: Probabilistic database linkage was carried out between congenital syphilis cases recorded on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System and fetus and infant deaths due to congenital syphilis recorded on the Mortality Information System. Results: 170 fetus and infant congenital syphilis deaths were matched. Fetus and infant deaths due to congenital syphilis were underreported by 80.9% on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System and by 7.0% on the Mortality Information System, accounting for an increase of 2.3% and 7.0% in the final databases, respectively. Conclusion: The underreporting identified compromises knowledge of the true magnitude of deaths caused by this disease.

INCREASE OF INCIDENCE OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS IN SANTA CATARINA STATE BETWEEN 2007-2017: TEMPORAL TREND ANALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of congenital syphilis and temporal trends of the reported cases of the disease in the state of Santa Catarina between 2007 and 2017. METHODS: Observational study with retrospective cohort design, with secondary data from the Injury of Notification Information System (SINAN). Linear trend test and geoprocessing were performed to verify the behavior of the cases in the period. RESULTS: There were 2,898 reported cases of congenital syphilis in the period, with an average of 2.9 per 1,000 live births in the period. There was an exponential increase of 0.9 percentage points per year, considered statistically significant (p<0.001). There was no difference between the incidences of cases in the different regions of the State. The fatality rate was 8.5%, considering deaths from syphilis, miscarriages and stillbirths. The profile was predominant of white mothers, with low schooling and 11.8% did not perform prenatal care. For this reason, 26.9% of them had a diagnosis of syphilis at the time of delivery. Most of the pregnant women (51.9%) had inadequate pharmacological treatment and 65.1% of the partners were not treated. CONCLUSIONS: There was an exponential increase tendency in cases of congenital syphilis in the State of Santa Catarina in the period studied in all regions of the State, which reveals the failure of prenatal care, late diagnosis and inadequate treatment of the pregnant woman and her partner.

Congenital Syphilis in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis remains a significant cause of newborn mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental problems in some low- and middle-income countries. This study was done in Honiara, Solomon Islands to determine the incidence of babies born to mothers with a positive venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test and a positive Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA); to determine the VDRL status of newborns and features of congenital syphilis; and to estimate the proportion of stillbirths associated with syphilis. METHODOLOGY: All neonates born to VDRL-positive mothers, including stillbirths were included between April and July 2019. Neonates were examined, investigated and treated. RESULTS: Among 1534 consecutive births, 1469 were live births and 65 (4.2%) were stillbirths. One hundred and forty-three neonates were born to VDRL-positive mothers: 130 (90.1%) were live infants and 13 (8.9%) stillbirths. Of the 130 VDRL-exposed live-born infants, 72 (55%) had reactive VDRL and a positive TPHA and 7 (9.7%) had clinical signs of congenital syphilis. Five of the infants with clinical signs of syphilis infection had a 4-fold higher VDRL titre than their mother. Four infants of VDRL-positive mothers died during admission, all of whom had clinical signs of syphilis. Ninety percent of affected infants were born to mothers who were not treated or only partially treated during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 1:210 live-born babies had clinical and serological evidence of congenital syphilis, and evidence of Treponema infection was found disproportionately in stillbirths. In a setting where Treponema infections are common, an empirical approach to prevention may be needed.

Boletim epidemiológico sífilis - 2020 / Syphilis Epidemiological Bulletin - 2020

A Sífilis é uma infecção bacteriana causada pelo agente Treponema pallidum, sistêmica, crônica, exclusiva do ser humano, que tem cura e tratamento garantido pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A maioria das pessoas diagnosticadas com essa Infecção Sexualmente Transmissível (IST) tende a não ter conhecimento da infecção, ou seja são assintomáticas, podendo transmiti-la aos seus parceiros sexuais por meio de relação sexual - anal, vaginal e/ou oral. Contudo, pode ser transmitida verticalmente para o feto durante a gestação de uma mulher com sífilis não tratada ou tratada de forma não adequada. A principal forma de prevenção da Sífilis é utilizando o preservativo, seja ele masculino ou feminino. A sífilis é uma infecção que possui vários estágios, que se caracterizam de acordo com a sua infectividade e o tempo de exposição ao organismo

Syphilis is a systemic, chronic bacterial infection caused by the agent Treponema pallidum, exclusive to humans, which has a cure and treatment guaranteed by the Unified Health System (SUS). Most people diagnosed with this Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) tend not to be aware of the infection, that is, they are asymptomatic, and can transmit it to their sexual partners through sexual intercourse - anal, vaginal and/or oral. However, it can be transmitted vertically to the fetus during pregnancy in a woman with untreated or inadequately treated syphilis. The main way to prevent syphilis is to use condoms, whether male or female. Syphilis is an infection that has several stages, which characterized according to their infectivity and the time of exposure to the organism

Increase of incidence of congenital syphilis in santa catarina state between 2007-2017: temporal trend analysis / Aumento da incidência de sífilis congênita no estado de santa catarina no período de 2007 a 2017: análise da tendência temporal

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the incidence of congenital syphilis and temporal trends of the reported cases of the disease in the state of Santa Catarina between 2007 and 2017. Methods: Observational study with retrospective cohort design, with secondary data from the Injury of Notification Information System (SINAN). Linear trend test and geoprocessing were performed to verify the behavior of the cases in the period. Results: There were 2,898 reported cases of congenital syphilis in the period, with an average of 2.9 per 1,000 live births in the period. There was an exponential increase of 0.9 percentage points per year, considered statistically significant (p<0.001). There was no difference between the incidences of cases in the different regions of the State. The fatality rate was 8.5%, considering deaths from syphilis, miscarriages and stillbirths. The profile was predominant of white mothers, with low schooling and 11.8% did not perform prenatal care. For this reason, 26.9% of them had a diagnosis of syphilis at the time of delivery. Most of the pregnant women (51.9%) had inadequate pharmacological treatment and 65.1% of the partners were not treated. Conclusions: There was an exponential increase tendency in cases of congenital syphilis in the State of Santa Catarina in the period studied in all regions of the State, which reveals the failure of prenatal care, late diagnosis and inadequate treatment of the pregnant woman and her partner.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a incidência de sífilis congênita e a tendência temporal dos casos notificados da doença no estado de Santa Catarina no período entre 2007 e 2017. Métodos: Estudo observacional com desenho de coorte retrospectiva, com dados secundários coletados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Foi realizado o teste de tendência linear e o geoprocessamento para verificar o comportamento dos casos no período. Resultados: No período, foram notificados 2.898 casos de sífilis congênita, com média de 2,9 a cada mil nascidos vivos. Houve crescimento exponencial de 0,9 ponto percentual ao ano, sendo estatisticamente significante (p<0,001). Não houve diferença entre a incidência de casos nas diferentes regiões do Estado. A taxa de letalidade foi de 8,5%, considerando os óbitos por sífilis, os abortos e os natimortos. O perfil predominante foi de mães da raça branca e com baixa escolaridade. Do total de mães analisadas, 11,8% não realizaram pré-natal - por esse motivo, 26,9% delas tiveram o diagnóstico de sífilis no momento do parto. A maioria das gestantes (51,9%) teve tratamento farmacológico inadequado e 65,1% dos parceiros não foram tratados. Conclusões: No período estudado, houve tendência de aumento exponencial dos casos de sífilis congênita em todas as regiões do Estado de Santa Catarina, o que revela a falha no pré-natal, o diagnóstico tardio e o tratamento inadequado da gestante e do seu parceiro.

Differences between congenital-syphilis presenting as sepsis and neonatal sepsis: A case-control study.

Congenital syphilis (CS) can cause serious impact on the fetus. However, congenital syphilis presenting as sepsis is a critical condition but hardly identified by the clinic for the first time. In this study, we aimed to identify the benefit of earlier and accurate diagnosis for the infants who suffer congenital syphilis presenting as sepsis.A retrospective study was performed with patients diagnosed of congenital syphilis presenting as sepsis who were the inpatients in the West China Second Hospital between 2011 and 2018. The control group was collected in the neonatal sepsis patients whose blood culture are positive.Fifty-eight patients were included in the study. In the congenital syphilis group, one patient died and 12 (41.3%) patients get worse to MODS (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome). Symptoms, signs, and lab examinations are found to be significantly different (P < .05) between two groups as below, including rash, palmoplantar desquamation, abdominal distension, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, etc. And, at the aspect of Hb, PLT, WBC, CRP, ALT, AST, these differences occurred in the different groups. It is obvious that the prognosis of children with syphilis is worse. According to a comparison between the different outcomes in the CS, the worse outcome subgroup of patients is significantly younger and have more severely impaired liver function.Because of the high mortality of these infants, pediatricians should improve awareness of CS. Syphilis screening is recommended for pregnant women.

Symptomatic congenital syphilis in a tertiary neonatal unit in Cape Town, South Africa: High morbidity and mortality in a preventable disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite preventive measures and effective treatment, congenital syphilis continues to impact significantly on neonatal morbidity and mortality. There has been no recent South African (SA) published literature reviewing congenital syphilis, particularly in the context of a tertiary neonatal setting. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of symptomatic neonates with congenital syphilis and to identify modifiable patient, clinical and health facility factors that contributed to syphilis infection. METHODS: All positive serological tests for syphilis performed in neonates at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, SA, between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013 were obtained. Folders were reviewed, and neonates with clinical signs of congenital syphilis were included. RESULTS: Of 50 symptomatic neonates, 19 (38%) died. Twenty-eight mothers (56%) were unbooked and therefore received no antenatal care. Most mothers (98%) were inadequately treated. Health worker-related failures included poor notification and partner tracing as well as failure to recheck syphilis serology after 32 weeks' gestation in mothers who initially tested negative. Thirty-four neonates required intensive care unit admission. Two significant predictors of mortality were 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores <5. Hydrops fetalis was an independent risk factor for mortality, as were moderate to severely abnormal cranial ultrasound scan findings. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital syphilis in neonates admitted to the GSH neonatal unit was associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The modifiable factors identified represent inadequate antenatal healthcare and health system failures. These factors are longstanding, highlighting the need to establish governance and audit processes and address the continuing socioeconomic and sociocultural barriers that mothers face as a way forward in ultimately eliminating this entirely preventable disease.

Incidence Trends, Risk Factors, Mortality and Healthcare Utilization in Congenital Syphilis-related Hospitalizations in the United States: A Nationwide Population Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS) is a devastating yet preventable disease affecting the fetus. Recent increase in cases of CS in the United States has been reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is a lack of data on hospitalization trends and healthcare utilization related to CS. We sought to describe CS hospitalization trends, morbidity and mortality during 2009 through 2016 and related healthcare expenditure. METHODS: National inpatient level data collected from Kid's Inpatient Database and National Inpatient Sample databases from 2009 to 2016 were analyzed. CS hospitalizations were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes in age less than 1 year. Related demographics, risk factors and outcomes were calculated. Infant mortality related to CS were calculated per number of hospitalizations. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2016, there were a total of 5912 CS-related hospitalizations. The overall trends in hospitalizations related to CS was up trending since 2009. African American ethnicity, public insurance/uninsured, low socioeconomic status, geographic location (South and West hospital regions), prematurity and low birth weight were significantly associated with CS and remained as independent risk factors. The mean length of stay (12.38 ± 0.10 d vs. 3.42 ± 0.1 d) and mean hospitalization charges were significantly higher in CS (P < 0.001) as compared with other hospitalized infants without CS. The total inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges have more than doubled over the years ($120,665,203 in 2016 vs. $54,290,310 in 2009). The rate of in-hospital deaths in CS hospitalization was 0.54% (32 deaths among 5912 hospitalizations). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CS hospitalization has been increasing since 2009. CS contributes to a significant healthcare utilization burden; its prevention can save a large amount of healthcare-related expenditure.

Congenital Syphilis as a Measure of Maternal and Child Healthcare, Brazil.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has direct adverse effects on maternal and infant health through vertical Treponema pallidum transmission during early pregnancy. We evaluated congenital syphilis as a predictor of the quality of basic maternal and child healthcare in Brazil during 2010-2015. We investigated case rates and correlations with epidemiologic and socioeconomic indicators. We observed rising congenital syphilis incidence rates and increasing syphilis-associated perinatal and infant mortality rates in all regions. Case rates were highest in the Northeast, Southeast, and South, and congenital syphilis infant mortality rates were highest in the Northeast and Southeast. We observed correlations between congenital syphilis rates and infant death, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), and stillbirth rates. We also noted correlations between rates of stillbirth caused by syphilis and inadequate prenatal care. Our study suggests gaps in basic healthcare for pregnant women and indicates the urgent need for measures to increase early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Fetal and infant mortality of congenital syphilis reported to the Health Information System.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS) is a major cause of mortality in several countries, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study aimed to analyze fetal and infant mortality of CS reported to the Health Information System in a State in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed the deaths of CS from 2010 to 2014 through the linkage of the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used to calculate the rates of Fetal, Perinatal, Neonatal (early and late), and Postneonatal Mortality. Simple linear regression was performed. Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi-square test were used for comparison of proportions and Student's t-test was used for comparison of means. Of the 414 cases reported to the SIM as deaths possibly caused by CS, 44 (10.6%) presented CS as the underlying cause. From 2010 to 2014 the Infant Mortality Rate of CS was 16.3 per 100,000 live births (y = 0.65x + 14.33, R2 = 0.2338, p = 0.003). There was an 89.4% underreporting of deaths. Perinatal deaths and fetal deaths of CS accounted for 87.7% and 73.9% of total deaths, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study revealed a significant Fetal and Infant Mortality rate of CS and demonstrated the importance of using the linkage method in studies that involve the analysis of secondary data obtained from mortality and disease reporting systems. The underreporting of CS as a cause of fetal and infant mortality leads to unawareness of the reality of deaths from this disease, hindering the development of public policies aimed at its prevention.

Trends in Deaths Due to Syphilis, United States, 1968-2015.

BACKGROUND: Before penicillin, the syphilis case-fatality rate was 10% within 40 years. Late complications, such as cardiovascular syphilis, were still common in the 1950s but now seem quite rare even though some infections likely go undetected. We studied trends in syphilis mortality as an indicator of trends in severe complications of syphilis. METHODS: We assessed underlying cause of death from US death certificates for 1968 to 2015. We examined death trends by type of syphilis (cardiovascular, neuro, congenital, other). We compared trends in deaths with trends in primary and secondary syphilis from national STD surveillance data. RESULTS: During 1968 to 2015, there were 6498 deaths attributed to syphilis, 4149 males and 2349 females. Annual syphilis deaths decreased from 586 in 1968 to 94 in 1984, then leveled off to between 24 and 46 since 1998. Between 1968 and 2015, the decrease in annual cardiovascular syphilis deaths (from 338 to 3) exceeded the decrease in annual neurosyphilis deaths (from 191 to 33). Congenital syphilis deaths (which do not include stillbirths) generally decreased from 28 to 2 per year. An increase in primary and secondary syphilis among women in the late 1980s was accompanied by a 4-fold increase in congenital syphilis deaths (from 9 in 1986 to 35 in 1990), but there was no subsequent increase in syphilis deaths among women. CONCLUSIONS: Adults now rarely die from syphilis. Increases in infections in the late 1980s did not lead to an increase in adult syphilis deaths. Congenital syphilis deaths still increase when syphilis increases among women.

Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants Exposed to Infectious Syphilis In Utero.

BACKGROUND: There are minimal neurodevelopmental follow-up data for infants exposed to syphilis in utero. METHODS: This is an inception cohort study of infants exposed to syphilis in utero. We reviewed women with reactive syphilis serology in pregnancy or at delivery in Edmonton (Canada), 2002 through 2010 and describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with and without congenital syphilis. RESULTS: There were 39 births to women with reactive syphilis serology, 9 of whom had late latent syphilis (n = 4), stillbirths (n = 2) or early neonatal deaths (n = 3), leaving 30 survivors of which 11 with and 7 without congenital syphilis had neurodevelopmental assessment. Those with congenital syphilis were all born to women with inadequate syphilis treatment before delivery. Neurodevelopmental impairment was documented in 3 of 11 (27%) infants with congenital syphilis and one of 7 (14%) without congenital syphilis with speech language delays in 4 of 11 (36%) with congenital syphilis and 3 of 7 (42%) without congenital syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born to mothers with reactive syphilis serology during pregnancy are at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairment, whether or not they have congenital syphilis, so should all be offered neurodevelopmental assessments and early referral for services as required.

Caracterización de los casos de sífilis en el Hospital Argerich 2016: Situación epidemiológica y nuevas perspectivas / Characterization of syphilis cases at the Argerich Hospital 2016: Epidemiological situation and new perspectives

El presente diagnóstico tiene por objetivo describir y caracterizar los datos de los casos de sífilis, en especial los relacionados con la transmisión vertical y su relevancia en Salud Pública, evaluados en el Hospital General de Agudos Cosme Argerich (HGACA) y notificados a la División de Promoción y Protección entre la Semana Epidemiológica (SE) 1 y 52 de 2016, para la posterior toma de decisiones, ante el aumento de la morbimortalidad de esta patología. (AU)

Underreporting of Congenital Syphilis as a Cause of Fetal and Infant Deaths in Northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Of all syphilis-related pregnancy outcomes, fetal death is certainly the most common one, being directly related to the availability, accessibility and quality of prenatal care. The present study aimed to analyze the underreporting of fetal and infant deaths and other maternal factors associated with congenital syphilis (CS) death. METHODS: This cross-sectional study integrated data of infants that were diagnosed and/or died of CS from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação-Sinan (Notifiable Diseases Information System) and the Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade-SIM (Mortality Information System) in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brasil to identify unreported cases of congenital syphilis. We assessed data during the period from 2007 to 2013. RESULTS: The underreporting of CS as a cause of fetal or infant death increased from 41 to 415 cases (90.1%) during 2007-2013. Exactly 3,209 cases of CS were identified in Sinan and 6,578 deaths in SIM. After database linkage, we identified 382 cases that were reported in the SIM and SINAN databases consisting of 309 fetal deaths and 73 infant deaths related to CS. From the children notified at Sinan that born alive, 3.0% (78/2,542) died; Out of these, 39 (50.0%) were early and 25 (32.1%) were late neonatal deaths. The proportion of death by CS increased from 0.62 to 5.8 from 2007 to 2013. At logistic regression, the variable that maintained statistical significance with fetal and infant death outcomes was the presence of CS signs and/or symptoms at birth (OR = 3.20; IC 95% 1.54-6.62; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal and Infant deaths following CS-associated live births are underreported in Northeastern Brazil. Data base linkage identified unreported fetal and neonatal deaths due to CS leading to an increased awareness of fetal/infant mortality due to this infection.

Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study.

BACKGROUND: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country data inputs, WHO estimated that 1·4 million maternal syphilis infections caused 520 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes. To assess progress, we updated the 2008 estimates and estimated the 2012 global prevalence and cases of maternal and congenital syphilis. METHODS: We used a health systems model approved by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. WHO and UN databases provided inputs on livebirths, antenatal care coverage, and syphilis testing, seropositivity, and treatment in antenatal care. For 2012 estimates, we used data collected between 2009 and 2012. We updated the 2008 estimates using data collected between 2000 and 2008, compared these with 2012 estimates using data collected between 2009 and 2012, and performed subanalyses to validate results. FINDINGS: In 2012, an estimated 930 000 maternal syphilis infections caused 350 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes including 143 000 early fetal deaths and stillbirths, 62 000 neonatal deaths, 44 000 preterm or low weight births, and 102 000 infected infants worldwide. Nearly 80% of adverse outcomes (274 000) occurred in women who received antenatal care at least once. Comparing the updated 2008 estimates with the 2012 estimates, maternal syphilis decreased by 38% (from 1 488 394 cases in 2008 to 927 936 cases in 2012) and congenital syphilis decreased by 39% (from 576 784 to 350 915). India represented 65% of the decrease. Analysis excluding India still showed an 18% decrease in maternal and congenital cases of syphilis worldwide. INTERPRETATION: Maternal and congenital syphilis decreased worldwide from 2008 to 2012, which suggests progress towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Nonetheless, maternal syphilis caused substantial adverse pregnancy outcomes, even in women receiving antenatal care. Improved access to quality antenatal care, including syphilis testing and treatment, and robust data are all important for achieving the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. FUNDING: The UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction in WHO, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[Incidence of congenital syphilis and factors associated with vertical transmission: data from the Birth in Brazil study]. / Incidência de sífilis congênita e fatores associados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil.

The objectives were to estimate incidence of congenital syphilis and verify factors associated with vertical transmission. A national hospital-based study was performed in 2011-2012 with 23,894 postpartum women using an in-hospital interview and data from patient charts and prenatal cards. Univariate logistic regression was performed to verify factors associated with congenital syphilis. Estimated incidence of congenital syphilis was 3.51 per 1,000 live births (95%CI: 2.29-5.37) and vertical transmission rate was 34.3% (95%CI: 24.7-45.4). Congenital syphilis was associated with lower maternal schooling, black skin color, higher rate of risk factors for prematurity, late initiation of prenatal care, fewer prenatal visits, and lower rate of prenatal serological testing. Fetal mortality was six times higher in congenital syphilis, and newborns with congenital syphilis showed higher hospital admission rates. Congenital syphilis is a persistent public health problem in Brazil and is associated with greater social vulnerability and gaps in prenatal care.

Infant Deaths Due To Herpes Simplex Virus, Congenital Syphilis, and HIV in New York City.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) is not a nationally reportable disease; there have been few population-based measures of HSV-related infant mortality. We describe infant death rates due to neonatal HSV as compared with congenital syphilis (CS) and HIV, 2 reportable, perinatally transmitted diseases, in New York City from 1981 to 2013. METHODS: We identified neonatal HSV-, CS-, and HIV-related deaths using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes listed on certificates of death or stillbirth issued in New York City. Deaths were classified as HSV-related if certificates listed (1) any HSV ICD-9/ICD-10 codes for deaths ≤42 days of age, (2) any HSV ICD-9/ICD-10 codes and an ICD code for perinatal infection for deaths at 43 to 365 days of age, or (3) an ICD-10 code for congenital HSV. CS- and HIV-related deaths were those listing any ICD code for syphilis or HIV. RESULTS: There were 34 deaths due to neonatal HSV (0.82 deaths per 100 000 live births), 38 from CS (0.92 per 100 000), and 262 from HIV (6.33 per 100 000). There were no CS-related deaths after 1996, and only 1 HIV-related infant death after 2004. The neonatal HSV-related death rate during the most recent decade (2004-2013) was significantly higher than in previous years. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing neonatal HSV-related death rate may reflect increases in neonatal herpes incidence; an increasing number of pregnant women have never had HSV type 1 and are therefore at risk of acquiring infection during pregnancy and transmitting to their infant.

Incidência de sífilis congênita e fatores associados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil / Incidence of congenital syphilis and factors associated with vertical transmission: data from the Birth in Brazil study / Incidencia de sífilis congénita y factores asociados a la transmisión vertical de la sífilis: datos del estudio Nacer en Brasil

Resumo: O objetivo foi estimar a incidência de sífilis congênita ao nascimento e verificar os fatores associados à transmissão vertical da sífilis. Estudo nacional, de base hospitalar, realizado em 2011-2012 com 23.894 puérperas, por meio de entrevista hospitalar, dados de prontuário e cartão de pré-natal. Realizada regressão logística univariada para verificar os fatores associados à sífilis congênita. Estimada incidência de sífilis congênita de 3,51 por mil nascidos vivos (IC95% 2,29-5,37) e taxa de transmissão vertical de 34,3% (IC95%: 24,7-45,4). Casos de sífilis congênita estiveram associados à menor escolaridade materna, cor da pele preta e maior proporção de fatores de risco para prematuridade, bem como ao início mais tardio do pré-natal, menor número de consultas e menor realização de exames sorológicos. A mortalidade fetal foi seis vezes superior nos casos de sífilis congênita, e recém-natos com sífilis congênita apresentaram maior frequência de internação. A sífilis congênita persiste como problema de saúde pública, estando associada à maior vulnerabilidade social e falhas na assistência pré-natal.

Abstract: The objectives were to estimate incidence of congenital syphilis and verify factors associated with vertical transmission. A national hospital-based study was performed in 2011-2012 with 23,894 postpartum women using an in-hospital interview and data from patient charts and prenatal cards. Univariate logistic regression was performed to verify factors associated with congenital syphilis. Estimated incidence of congenital syphilis was 3.51 per 1,000 live births (95%CI: 2.29-5.37) and vertical transmission rate was 34.3% (95%CI: 24.7-45.4). Congenital syphilis was associated with lower maternal schooling, black skin color, higher rate of risk factors for prematurity, late initiation of prenatal care, fewer prenatal visits, and lower rate of prenatal serological testing. Fetal mortality was six times higher in congenital syphilis, and newborns with congenital syphilis showed higher hospital admission rates. Congenital syphilis is a persistent public health problem in Brazil and is associated with greater social vulnerability and gaps in prenatal care.

Resumen: El objetivo fue estimar la incidencia de sífilis congénita en el nacimiento y verificar los factores asociados a la transmisión vertical de la sífilis. Se realizó un estudio nacional, de base hospitalaria, realizado en 2011-2012 con 23.894 puérperas, mediante una entrevista hospitalaria, datos de historial médico y tarjeta de prenatal. Se realizó una regresión logística univariada para verificar los factores asociados a la sífilis congénita. Se estimó la incidencia de sífilis congénita de un 3,51 por 1.000 nacidos vivos (IC95%: 2,29-5,37) y tasa de transmisión vertical de un 34,3% (IC95%: 24,7-45,4). Los casos de sífilis congénita estuvieron asociados a una menor escolaridad materna, ser afrobrasileño y una mayor proporción de factores de riesgo para partos prematuros, así como al inicio más tardío del seguimiento prenatal, menor número de consultas y menor realización de exámenes serológicos. La mortalidad fetal fue seis veces superior en los casos de sífilis congénita y los recién nacidos con sífilis congénita presentaron una mayor frecuencia de internamiento. La sífilis congénita persiste como un problema de salud pública, estando asociada a una mayor vulnerabilidad social y fallos en la asistencia prenatal.

Risk factors for congenital syphilis and adverse pregnancy outcomes in offspring of women with syphilis in Shenzhen, China: a prospective nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Despite existence of a highly effective intervention, maternal syphilis still causes substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality, even in China, where antenatal health services are strong. This study sought to address personal, programmatic, and other risk factors for congenital syphilis (CS) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) among pregnant women in Shenzhen, China. METHODS: Pregnant women attending antenatal services were offered serologic tests, and those diagnosed as having syphilis were recruited from April 2007 to October 2012. In a nested case-control study for the pregnancy outcomes of syphilis-infected women, we assessed risk factors comparing infants born with CS (group II) and with any APOs (group III) to infants without CS or APOs (group I). RESULTS: During the 66-month study period, we screened 279,334 pregnant women and identified 838 (0.3%; 95% confidence interval, 0.28%-0.32%) women infected with syphilis. Among infants born to syphilitic mothers, 8.2% (34/417) were diagnosed as having CS and 24.7% (103/417) were diagnosed as having APOs. Compared with group I, maternal baseline titers of nontreponemal antibodies (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.13), stage of syphilis (aOR, 21.56), length of time between the end of the first treatment to childbirth (aOR, 11.93), gestational week at treatment (aOR, 2.63), and fathers' cocaine use (aOR, 15.44) and syphilis infection status (aORpositive vs. negative, 5.84; aORunknown vs. negative, 5.55) were positively associated with CS, but prenatal care (aOR, 0.11) and complete treatment (aOR, 0.20) were negatively associated with CS. Maternal age (aOR, 1.43), marriage (aOR, 2.41), history of cocaine use (aOR, 3.79) and ectopic pregnancy (aOR, 5.91), baseline titers of nontreponemal antibodies (aOR, 1.30), stage of syphilis (aOR, 8.89), length of time between the end of the first treatment to childbirth (aOR, 2.52), gestational week at treatment (aOR, 1.78), and fathers' syphilis infection status (aORunknown vs. negative, 2.02) were also positively associated with APOs, but maternal history of syphilis (aOR, 0.44), prenatal care (aOR, 0.29), and complete treatment (aOR, 0.25) were negatively associated with APOs, CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis was an important cause of pregnancy loss and infant disability, particularly among women who did not receive prenatal care or had late or inadequate treatment. These study results can inform antenatal programs on the importance of early syphilis testing and prompt and appropriate treatment. Some strategies targeted at other risk factors areas may be helpful.