The crucial role of the partner in the incidence of cases of congenital syphilis in the state of Sergipe: an analysis in 17 years / O papel crucial do parceiro na incidência dos casos de sífilis congênita no estado de Sergipe: uma análise em 17 anos

Introduction: Congenital syphilis is a highly preventable infectious disease. The relevance of the partner in the transmission of the disease is undeniable, and the underestimation of its treatment is a great risk with serious fetal consequences. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the partner's contribution to the inadequate treatment of pregnant women and the incidence of cases of congenital syphilis in Sergipe between 2005 and 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study was carried out through the collection of reported cases of congenital syphilis from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Results: There was a considerable increase in the number of reported cases of congenital syphilis in Sergipe in the past 17 years, with a predominance of untreated partners (61.5%) over treated ones (14.9%), excluding the 23.6% who had this information ignored. The variations presented from 2018 onwards stand out, resulting from the softening implemented in the notification of partner data, with an average of 23.7% of ignored information. Consequently, the diagnosis of recent congenital syphilis was found in 83.7% of newborns whose parents were not treated, in addition to 50% of cases of late infection and the vast majority of cases of stillbirths/abortion (92.6%) and deaths from the disease (78.8%). Furthermore, the non-inclusion of the partner in prenatal care (83%) contributed mainly to delays in the diagnosis of maternal syphilis, with 90.1% during delivery/curettage, 76.7% after delivery, and 77.2% of them not even identified with the disease. Conclusion: In addition to the increase in cases of congenital syphilis, there was a predominance of untreated partners, coinciding with changes in the notification criteria in 2018, which contributed to most cases of delay in maternal diagnosis, reinfection, and vertical transmission. Thus, the partner's approach is essential to guarantee the treatment and interruption of the transmission of the disease

Introdução: A sífilis congênita é uma doença infectocontagiosa altamente prevenível. A relevância do parceiro na transmissão da doença é inegável, sendo a subestimação do seu tratamento um grande risco, com graves consequências fetais. Objetivo: Analisar a contribuição do parceiro na inadequação do tratamento da gestante e na incidência dos casos de sífilis congênita em Sergipe entre 2005 e 2022. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, retrospectivo e descritivo, através da coleta de casos notificados de sífilis congênita do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Resultados: Observou-se um aumento considerável do número de casos notificados de sífilis congênita em Sergipe nos últimos 17 anos, com o predomínio de parceiros não tratados (61,5%) em relação aos tratados (14,9%), descontando-se os 23,6% que tiveram essa informação ignorada. Destacam-se as variações apresentadas a partir de 2018, decorrentes da amenização implementada na notificação dos dados do parceiro, com uma média de 23,7% de informações ignoradas. Consequentemente, o diagnóstico de sífilis congênita recente foi encontrado em 83,7% dos recém-nascidos cujos pais não foram tratados, além de 50% dos casos de infecção tardia e a maioria dos casos de natimortos/aborto (92,6%) e óbitos pelo agravo (78,8%). Outrossim, a não inclusão do parceiro na assistência pré-natal (83%) contribuiu majoritariamente nos atrasos no diagnóstico da sífilis materna, sendo 90,1% no parto/curetagem, 76,7% após o parto, além de 77,2% delas que nem mesmo foram identificadas com a doença. Conclusão: Além do aumento de casos de sífilis congênita, houve predomínio de parceiros não tratados, coincidindo com as mudanças nos critérios de notificação em 2018, o que contribuiu para a maioria dos casos de atraso no diagnóstico materno, reinfecção e transmissão vertical. Assim, a abordagem do parceiro é imprescindível para garantia do tratamento e da interrupção da transmissão da doença

Vigilancia de sífilis / Syphilis surveillance

Se presenta de manera breve la situación de sífilis en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, en particular sífilis congénita y en embarazadas hasta la Semana Epidemiológica 17.

Informe epidemiológico de sífilis congénita en el Hospital Materno infantil Ramón Sardá de la CABA durante el trienio 2018-2020 / Epidemiological report of congenital syphilis at Ramón Sardá Maternal and Child Hospital of CABA during the 2018-2020 triennium

El hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá, de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, es un centro perinatológico de alta complejidad del subsector público de salud, que asiste más de 5000 nacimientos por año. Es el hospital que reportó la mayor cantidad de casos de sífilis congénita en el período 2018-2019. El objetivo de este informe es caracterizar los casos asistidos durante el trienio 2018-2020.

Sífilis congênita na Amazônia: desvelando a fragilidade no tratamento / Congenital syphilis in the Amazon: revealing the fragility of the treatment / La sífilis congénita en la Amazonía: descubrimiento de la fragilidad en el tratamiento

Objetivo: analisar a situação do tratamento inadequado da Sífilis Congênita (SC). Método: trata-se de um estudo misto, descritivo, com dados coletados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, no período de 2014 a 2017. Realizaram-se, adicionalmente, entrevistas semiestruturadas com os profissionais de saúde da Atenção Básica (AB), sendo os dados quantitativos estudados pela estatística descritiva, e os qualitativos, por meio da Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: identificaram-se 61 recém-nascidos que receberam tratamento inadequado para SC. Entrevistaram-se enfermeiros da AB do município de Macapá atuantes nas áreas de abrangência das residências das crianças. Aponta-se que as análises das entrevistas permitiram a criação de três categorias: o saber do enfermeiro sobre a doença; a experiência do enfermeiro para a detecção de casos de SC na sua área de atuação; e as estratégias do enfermeiro para a busca de crianças com história de sífilis. Conclusão: evidenciou-se a fragilidade no tratamento da SC em Macapá com um alto índice de tratamento inadequado. Avalia-se que os perfis sociodemográficos e clínico das mães e crianças potencializam as vulnerabilidades individual, programática e social.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the situation of inadequate treatment of Congenital Syphilis (CS). Method: it is a mixed, descriptive study with data collected in the System of Information on Disease Notification (SINAN), within the period from 2014 to 2017. In addition, semi-structured interviews were carried out with health professionals from Basic Care (BC), with the quantitative data studied through descriptive statistics, and the qualitative data by means of Content Analysis. Results: 61 newborns who received inadequate treatment for CS were identified. Nurses from the BC of Macapá who work in the areas of the children's residences were interviewed. It is pointed out that the analysis of the interviews allowed the creation of three categories: the nurse's knowledge on the disease; the nurse's experience for the detection of cases of CS in his/her area of operation; and the nurse's strategies for the search of children with history of syphilis. Conclusion: the fragility in the treatment of CS in Macapá was evidenced with a high rate of inadequate treatment. The sociodemographic and clinical profiles of mothers and children are estimated to have enhanced individual, programmatic and social vulnerabilities.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la situación de tratamiento inadecuado de la Sífilis Congénita (CS). Método: se trata de un estudio descriptivo mixto, con datos recogidos en el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación, en el período de 2014 a 2017. Además, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con profesionales de la salud de atención primaria (AB) , datos cuantitativos que se estudian mediante estadística descriptiva, y datos cualitativos, a través del análisis de contenido. Resultados: se identificaron 61 recién nacidos que recibieron tratamiento inadecuado por CE. Se entrevistó a enfermeras de AB en la ciudad de Macapá que trabajan en las áreas cubiertas por los hogares de los niños. Se señala que el análisis de las entrevistas permitió la creación de tres categorías: el conocimiento de la enfermera sobre la enfermedad; la experiencia del enfermero en la detección de casos de CS en su área de especialización; y las estrategias de la enfermera para encontrar niños con antecedentes de sífilis. Conclusión: se evidenció debilidad en el tratamiento del CS en Macapá con una alta tasa de tratamiento inadecuado. Se evalúa que los perfiles sociodemográficos y clínicos de madres e hijos potencian las vulnerabilidades individuales, programáticas y sociales.(AU)

Maternal syphilis treatment and pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective study in Jiangxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the associations of maternal syphilis treatment with birth outcomes mainly concentrated in economically developed areas. Limited data are available in economically underdeveloped areas, such as Jiangxi Province. The study aims to investigate the impact of maternal treatment on birth outcomes in Jiangxi Province, China. METHODS: Data were obtained from the China's Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission in Jiangxi Province. All syphilis infected pregnant women who delivered ≥28 gestational weeks and were registered in this system between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2019 were enrolled. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated by group-specific analyses according to their treatment status, adequacy and initiation time. RESULTS: 4210 syphilis infected pregnant women were included in the analyses. Infants born to untreated mothers (n = 1364) were at significantly higher risk for stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.01-3.00, P = 0.045), preterm birth (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.02-1.59, P = 0.034) and low birth weight (LBW) (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.11-1.86, P = 0.006) than those born to treated mothers (n = 2846) after adjustment for confounding factors. A significantly higher risk of stillbirth (aOR = 3.68; 95% CI, 1.62-8.34, P = 0.002), preterm birth (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.71-3.00, P < 0.001), LBW (aOR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.59-3.14, P < 0.001) and congenital syphilis (CS) (aOR = 3.63; 95% CI, 1.80-7.31, P < 0.001) was found in infants exposed to mothers treated inadequately (n = 1299) than those treated adequately (n = 1547). No pregnant women who initiated the treatment in the first trimester (n = 682) delivered a neonatal CS case. Compared with mothers who initiated treatment in the first trimester (n = 682), those initiated in the third trimester (n = 1234) suffered an increased risk of stillbirth (aOR = 4.48; 95% CI, 1.31-15.30, P = 0.017), preterm birth (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.61-3.40, P < 0.001) and LBW (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.97-5.37, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal treatment, especially early and adequate treatment, plays a crucial role in mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes among syphilis infected women.

Contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners in Bao'an district, Shenzhen, China.

BACKGROUND: Untreated male partners are a critical source of maternal re-infection. Contact tracing is a good way to identify infection among partners and reduce risk of mother-to-child transmission related to maternal re-infection. This study aimed to analyze the current situation and related factors of contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners. METHOD: Data of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and their male partners attending clinic for syphilis-screening were obtained from the Shenzhen Program for Prevention of Congenital Syphilis. Contact tracing rate of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis prevalence among male partners were counted, and related factors were also analyzed using a random-effects logistic regression model. RESULT: Of the 1299 syphilis-seropositive pregnant women, 74.1% (963/1299) had their male partners receiving syphilis-screening and 19.1% (184/963) of male partners were syphilis-infected. For pregnant women, being divorced (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.39; 95%CI: 0.17-0.87), seeking for emergency services at their first antenatal clinics visits (AOR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.44-0.77), reporting willingness to notify partner(AOR = 7.65; 95%CI: 4.69-12.49), multi-partners (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI:1.03-1.86) and having a history of drug abuse (AOR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.14-1.00)were independently associated with successful contact tracing. For male partners, of minority ethnicity (AOR = 4.15; 95%CI: 1.66-10.34), age at first sex>20(AOR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.37-0.87), reporting multi-partners (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.04-2.46), having a history of drug abuse (AOR = 4.07; 95%CI: 1.31-12.64) were independently associated with syphilis-infection. In addition, pregnant women with TRUST titer ≥1:8 (AOR = 2.81; 95%CI: 1.87-4.21), having a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.14-2.53), reporting multi-partners (AOR = 0.43; 95%CI: 0.29-0.64) and reporting the current partner as the source of syphilis (AOR = 5.05; 95%CI: 2.82-9.03) were independently associated with partners' syphilis-infection. CONCLUSION: Contact tracing is feasible and effective in identifying syphilis-infected partners among syphilis-seropositive pregnant women. Contact tracing is associated with many factors such as women's marital status, services at their first antenatal clinics visit and willingness of partner notification. Partners' ethnicity, age at first sex, multi-partners and history of drug abuse as well as women's levels of TRUST titer were associated with partners' syphilis-infection.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Point-of-Care Rapid Testing Versus Laboratory-Based Testing for Antenatal Screening of Syphilis in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Severe consequences of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and high increasing incidence of congenital syphilis remains an important public health problem in Brazil. Our objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a rapid point-of-care test (RT) and treatment of positive mothers immediately compared with a laboratory-based standard test (ST) with treatment at next follow-up visit. METHODS: A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between antenatal syphilis screening strategies. The model was built with lifetime horizon from Brazilian health system perspective using 3% and 5% discount rates. A hypothetical cohort of pregnant women at reproductive age were used in the model. Health outcomes: low birth weight, stillbirths, neonatal deaths and congenital syphilis were estimated in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost. Microcosting study and secondary data provided parameters of direct medical costs. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: For base case, the mean cost per pregnant woman screened was $2.63 (RT) and $2.48 (ST), respectively. Maternal syphilis was associated with a loss of 0.0043 DALYs (RT) and 0.0048 DALYs (ST) per mother screened. Expected value of incremental cost per DALY averted was $298.08. After 10 000 probabilistic sensitivity analysis model runs, incremental cost and health benefits were $0.15 (95% credible interval -1.56 to 1.92) and 0.00042 DALYs (95% credible interval -0.0036 to 0.0044), respectively, with a mean ICER of $357.44 per DALY. Screening with RT has a 58% chance of being the optimal strategy at a threshold of $3,200 per DALY. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, antenatal screening with syphilis RT and immediate treatment is likely to be cost-effective compared with standard screening and must be prioritized in local settings.

Congenital syphilis: A contemporary update on an ancient disease.

Congenital syphilis (CS) rates reached a 20-year high in the United States in 2018. Unlike previous years, most babies diagnosed with CS were born to mothers who received prenatal care, indicative of the need for better provider education and guideline adherence. Current rates suggest that screening for syphilis should be performed at the first prenatal care visit and twice during the third trimester. There are two diagnostic algorithms available for use in the United States (traditional and reverse) and providers must understand how to perform each algorithm. Treatment should be administered according to stage of syphilis per Centers for Disease Control recommendations with best neonatal outcomes seen when treatment is initiated >30 days before delivery. Benzathine Penicillin G remains the only recommended treatment of syphilis during pregnancy. In viable pregnancies, a pretreatment ultrasound is recommended to identify sonographic evidence of fetal infection and treatment should be initiated with continuous fetal monitoring to evaluate for the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction which can cause preterm labor and fetal distress. After adequate syphilotherapy, a fourfold decline in maternal nontreponemal titers may not be observed by delivery and does not correlate with rates of CS.

Lessons about the reliability of congenital syphilis and vertical HIV transmission data learned from case reviews in Uruguay: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Uruguay it is mandatory to review all cases of positive HIV or reactive syphilis tests in pregnancy and peripartum. We compared the rates of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV detected by case reviews to those obtained from the usual surveillance system and described the characteristic of vertical transmission cases. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed with secondary data obtained from official government sources, for all the country cases of maternal to child transmission of HIV and syphilis from 2012 to 2017, with descriptive analyses. For congenital syphilis analyses, the following pregnancy characteristics were investigated: number of antenatal checks, gestational age at pregnancy diagnosis, gestational age at syphilis test and diagnosis, adequate treatment, and treatment of partners. Sociodemographic characteristics included type of health care (public/private), maternal age, distribution of ethnic minorities, maximum educational attainment, presence of partner, planned pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, domestic violence, previous maternal diagnosis of syphilis, and previous children with congenital syphilis. RESULTS: Coverage of syphilis case reviews increased from 82% in 2014 to 97.4% in 2017. For HIV, this coverage reached 100% in 2017 and elimination of mother to child transmission was achieved. A marked decline in congenital syphilis was noted in the public health care sector, especially in the capital Montevideo, whereas the private sector has remained below the elimination target. Variables related with congenital syphilis in exposed children were late pregnancy diagnosis, < 5 antenatal checks, delayed diagnosis of gestational syphilis, lower rate of correct treatment for gestational syphilis, untreated partner, low maternal schooling, unplanned pregnancy, history of syphilis, and having other children with syphilis. CONCLUSION: The use of case reviews provided knowledge regarding the accurate number of mother-to-child transmission cases and the evolution of elimination of mother to child transmission in the country. The results suggest that rates must be adjusted, providing an opportunity to improve the reliability of surveillance data, and point the need to address specific gaps in order to improve the quality of care during pregnancy, delivery, and the neonatal period.

Sífilis congênita: série histórica de uma década dos casos registrados em hospital de referência para gestação de risco, no Estado do Pará / Congenital syphilis: historical series of a decade of cases registered in a reference hospital for high-risk pregnancies, in the State of Pará

A sífilis é causada pela bactéria Treponema pallidum, caracterizada por infecção sistêmica que, se presente na gestante pode determinar a sífilis congênita e, consequentemente, comprometer gravemente o concepto; este estudo objetiva conhecer os aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e epidemiológicos da sífilis congênita no período de 2008 a 2017, em uma maternidade de referência para gestação de risco no Estado do Pará. Estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, transversal, documental e retrospectivo com dados obtidos em prontuários de recém-nascidos diagnosticados com sífilis congênita na última década (2008 a 2017), com análise de variáveis relacionadas ao binômio mãe-filho. Dos 1004 prontuários analisados, houve predomínio da faixa etária de 15 a 20 anos (36,9%), seguida da idade entre 21 a 25 anos (29,7%) e nove casos de mães menores de 15 anos; 66,7% apresentavam ensino fundamental incompleto. Cerca de 1/3 (37,5%) eram solteiras; 74,2% eram donas de casa. A maioria (79,9%) realizou pré-natal; e em mais da metade (63,6%), o número de consultas foi inferior a seis. O diagnóstico de sífilis na gestação, em 66,1% dos casos, ocorreu somente no momento do parto. O tratamento, durante o período gestacional, em 95,9% foi realizado com penicilina G benzatina, com doses entre 2.400.000UI a 7.200.000UI. Dentre os recém-nascidos, a maioria (72,4%) apresentou VDRL reagente no sangue, e somente, cerca de 1/3 (35,3%) realizou a pesquisa de VDRL no LCR; destes, apenas 2 (0,6%) apresentaram VDRL reagente no LCR. O exame radiológico foi realizado em 551 (54,9%) crianças; destas 62 (11,3%) apresentaram alterações. Mais de 90% eram assintomáticos; dentre os que apresentaram sintomatologia, a icterícia ocorreu em 47 (61,0%) casos. O tratamento em 63,6% dos recém-nascidos foi realizado com vários esquemas de penicilina; destes 607 (95,1%) foram tratados com penicilina G cristalina por 10 ou mais dias. No período estudado a taxa de incidência de sífilis congênita na maternidade reduziu 34,4%, mas o número absoluto aumentou de 66 casos em 2008 para 83 no ano de 2017. O coeficiente de mortalidade por sífilis congênita variou ao longo dos anos, com maior coeficiente observado no ano de 2009, de 0,8/1000 nascidos vivos. Apesar das mulheres terem tido boa adesão ao pré-natal, parece que este não teve adequada qualidade, a julgar pelo inferior número de consultas realizadas em oposição ao preconizado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, o que pode ter dificultado o rastreamento (VDRL) para sífilis nas consultas durante a gestação. Variáveis epidemiológicas com ausência de informações (sub-registros) constituíram limitações na interpretação dos dados para sífilis materna. O aumento do número de casos de sífilis congênita sugere a necessidade de direcionamento das estratégias de abordagem para esse problema de saúde pública nos cuidados dispensados durante o pré-natal

Syphilis is determined by Treponema pallidum, bacteria that is responsible for systemic infection and if it is present in the pregnant woman may lead to congenital syphilis and, consequently, severely compromise the conceptus; This study aims to know the clinical, laboratory and epidemiological aspects of congenital syphilis in the last decade (2008 ­ 2017) in a reference maternity for risk pregnancy in the State of Pará. Epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional, documentary and retrospective study with data obtained in medical records of newborns diagnosed with congenital syphilis from 2008 to 2017, with descriptive analysis of variables related to the mother-child binomial. Of the 1004 records analyzed, there was a predominance of the age group from 15 to 20 years (36.9%), followed by age between 21 to 25 years (29.7%) and nine cases of mothers under 15 years of age; 66.7% had incomplete primary education. About 1/3 (37.5%) were single; 74.2% were housewives. Most (79.9%) performed prenatal care; and in more than half (63.6%) the number of appointments was less than six. Diagnosis of syphilis in pregnancy, in 66.1% of the cases, occurred only at the time of delivery. Treatment during the gestational period in 95.9% was performed with benzathine penicillin G, with doses from 2,400,000 IU to 7,200,000 IU. Among the newborns, the majority (72.4%) showed reagent VDRL in the blood and about 1/3 (35.3%) performed VDRL in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF); of these, only 2 (0,6%) were reagent. Radiological examination was performed on 551 (54.9%) children; of these 62 (11.3%) presented alterations. More than 90% were asymptomatic; among those with symptoms, jaundice occurred in 47 (61.0%) cases. Treatment in 63.6% of newborns was performed with various penicillin regimens; of these 607 (95.1%) were treated with crystalline penicillin G for ten or more days. During the study period the incidence rate of congenital syphilis in the maternity ward decreased 34.4%, though the absolute number increased from 66 cases in 2008 to 83 in 2017. The mortality rate from congenital syphilis varied over the years, with the highest coefficient observed in the year 2009, 0.8/1000 live births. Despite women had good adherence to pre-natal care, it may have not been of good quality of them, considering the low number of appointments in opposition to what is determined by the Health Ministry of Brazil during pregnancy, which may cause difficulty to syphilis screening (VDRL) during gestational appointments. Epidemiological variables with absence of information (subregistration) limited the interpretation of maternal syphilis data. The increase in the number of congenital syphilis cases suggests improvement on the strategies necessary to approach this public health problem during the pre-natal care

[Intraurban differentials in congenital syphilis: a predictive analysis by neighborhood in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Diferenciais intraurbanos da sífilis congênita: análise preditiva por bairros do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

The study aimed to characterize notified cases of congenital syphilis from 2011 to 2014 in the city of Rio de Janeiro and to analyze possible associations between congenital syphilis and living conditions in the city's neighborhoods. Cases of congenital syphilis were characterized according to biological and socioeconomic variables and health services use. At the aggregate level, regression tree technique was used for the data analysis, with mean incidence rate (2011-2014) of congenital syphilis as the dependent variable and housing quality, schooling, income, teenage pregnancy, poverty density, access to prenatal care, and skin color as independent variables. The dependent variable was mapped to identify spatial patterns. The SINAN, SINASC, and IBGE databases were used for notifiable diseases, live births, and census data, respectively. A total of 6,274 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, which represents an incidence rate of 17.3 cases/1,000 live births. Cases were distributed in the central, northern peripheral, and western zones of the city, with a high proportion of cases in infants of black mothers with low schooling. There was also a high proportion of pregnant women with late diagnosis of syphilis and inadequate treatment. At the aggregate level, the most relevant variable for explaining the problem was the low proportion of pregnant women with at least 7 prenatal visits. The analysis allowed the identification of marginalized population segments and can help direct public health resources more effectively.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os casos notificados de sífilis congênita no período de 2011 a 2014, no Município do Rio de Janeiro, e analisar possíveis associações entre a morbidade por sífilis congênita e as condições de vida das populações residentes nos bairros da cidade. Os casos de sífilis congênita foram caracterizados de acordo com variáveis biológicas, socioeconômicas e de utilização de serviços de saúde. No nível agregado, utilizou-se a árvore de regressão como técnica de análise de dados, tendo a taxa de incidência média (2011-2014) de sífilis congênita como variável dependente, e indicadores relativos à qualidade habitacional, educação, renda, gravidez na adolescência, densidade de pobres, acesso à assistência pré-natal e cor da pele como variáveis independentes. Houve mapeamento da variável dependente para a identificação de padrões espaciais. Utilizaram-se dados do SINAN, SINASC e IBGE. Foram notificados 6.274 casos de sífilis congênita, o que representa uma taxa de incidência de 17,3 casos/mil nascidos vivos. Os casos se distribuem preponderantemente na zona central, norte suburbana e oeste da cidade, com elevada proporção de casos com baixa escolaridade e de cor da pele negra. Observou-se alta proporção de gestantes que tiveram diagnóstico tardio de sífilis e tratamento inadequado. No nível agregado, a variável mais relevante para a explicação dos problemas foi a baixa proporção de gestantes que frequentaram, no mínimo, sete consultas de assistência pré-natal. A análise permitiu a identificação de segmentos de populações marginalizadas, podendo direcionar de maneira efetiva a distribuição de recursos de saúde pública.

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar los casos notificados de sífilis congénita, durante el período de 2011 a 2014, en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, analizar posibles asociaciones entre la morbilidad por sífilis congénita, y las condiciones de vida de las poblaciones residentes en los barrios de la ciudad. Los casos de sífilis congénita fueron caracterizados de acuerdo a variables biológicas, socioeconómicas y de utilización de servicios de salud. En el nivel agregado, se utilizó el árbol de regresión como técnica de análisis de datos, considerando la tasa de incidencia media (2011-2014) de sífilis congénita como variable dependiente, e indicadores relativos a la calidad habitacional, educación, renta, embarazo en la adolescencia, densidad de pobres, acceso a la asistencia prenatal y color de piel como variables independientes. Hubo un mapeo de la variable dependiente para la identificación de patrones espaciales. Se utilizaron datos del SINAN, SINASC e IBGE. Se notificaron 6.274 casos de sífilis congénita, lo que representa una tasa de incidencia de 17,3 casos/1.000 nacidos vivos. Los casos se distribuyen preponderantemente en la zona central, norte suburbana y oeste de la ciudad, con una elevada proporción de casos con baja escolaridad y con color de piel negro. Se observó una alta proporción de gestantes que tuvieron un diagnóstico tardío de sífilis y tratamiento inadecuado. En el nivel agregado, la variable más relevante para la explicación de los problemas fue la baja proporción de gestantes que frecuentaron, al menos, 7 consultas de asistencia prenatal. El análisis permitió la identificación de segmentos de poblaciones marginadas, pudiendo dirigir de manera efectiva la distribución de recursos de salud pública.

Evaluating the progress to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis in Hunan Province, China: A study based on a health service delivery model.

To prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis, Hunan Province launched a free syphilis screening and treatment programme in 2011. Thus far, the programme has been implemented for 6 years. This study aimed to assess progress toward the elimination of MTCT of syphilis in Hunan Province from 2011-2016. Estimates of syphilis-related adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) were based on the health service delivery model developed by the WHO, which were then translated into disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Default values in the model were replaced by a Chinese version. The progress of this programme was assessed through the reduction of estimated DALYs with and without screening and treatment services. The results showed that the estimated number of syphilis-related APOs in Hunan Province from 2011 to 2016 was 3,840, more than 70% of which occurred among women who had at least one antenatal care visit but were not screened or treated for syphilis during pregnancy. The public health burden resulting from maternal syphilis-related APOs was 192,528 DALYs over six years, and with the current screening and treatment coverage, approximately 163,794 expected DALYs (46%) were averted. Our estimates indicate that in Hunan Province, syphilis in pregnancy continues to be an important cause of APOs, which can lead to substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality. Approximately half of the expected public health burden resulting from syphilis-related APOs was averted by the current screening and treatment services, which suggests progress toward the elimination of MTCT of syphilis in Hunan Province.

Práticas de enfermagem acerca do controle da sífilis congênita / Nursing practices on the control of congenital syphilis

O estudo revelou a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais em especial os enfermeiros para a assistência pré-natal, em que afirmaram sentir dificuldades no manejo clínico da sífilis, além de desconhecerem alguns documentos necessários para a notificação do agravo. Frente ao exposto, destaca-se a importância do reconhecimento da sífilis congênita como um importante problema de saúde pública por todas as esferas de governo, pelos profissionais da saúde e pela população em geral, com o objetivo de pôr em práticas as políticas públicas de saúde voltadas para o seu controle e criar novas políticas mais eficientes. A participação do profissional da saúde é primordial, principalmente do enfermeiro, visto que a partir de suas ações adequadas baseadas no conhecimento técnico - científico podem interferir diretamente no controle da sífilis congênita, a partir de uma assistência de pré-natal de qualidade, integral e humanizada. Além disso, deve-se destacar a importância do enfermeiro assumir o seu papel de educador em saúde e sensibilizar a população quanto a relevância do controle dessa doença

Congenital Syphilis Prevention: Strategies, Evidence, and Future Directions.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS)-the preventable transmission of Treponema pallidum from infected mother to fetus-remains a significant problem worldwide. METHODS: From July through November 2017, 239 articles relevant to CS prevention were identified via keyword searches in PubMed and Google Scholar, ancestry searches, and expert recommendation. Articles were then assessed for (1) measurement of a specified CS or adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and (2) geographic setting in high/upper middle income countries according to United Nations criteria. In total, 119 articles met inclusion criteria. These were then vetted for 1 of 3 arms of CS prevention, after which additional ancestral searches were conducted within each arm to arrive at the final collection of articles per CS prevention strategy-maternal prenatal treatment (n = 33), prenatal screening (n = 24), and public health interventions that support screening and treatment (n = 15). RESULTS: Of the 7 studies that evaluated treatment with benzathine penicillin G (BPG) use within the context of a modern health care system, all showed BPG to be highly effective in CS prevention; 3 additional studies demonstrated BPG effectiveness in preventing APOs. Ten studies revealed early disease detection through prenatal screening significantly reduces CS and APOs when paired with BPG. There was limited literature evaluating public health interventions, such as partner notification, surveillance, and prenatal screening laws. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital syphilis is a preventable disease, effectively avoided with appropriate prenatal screening and BPG therapy. Increasing syphilis rates among all adults, accompanied by gaps in the provision of prenatal care to women at high risk of infection, are major contributors to CS persistence.

Syphilis in Children.

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is transmitted both sexually and transplacentally. Untreated syphilis is a progressive disease that may result in death or disability in children and adults. Syphilis diagnosis requires 2-stage serologic testing for nontreponemal and treponemal antibodies. Congenital syphilis diagnosis requires careful review of maternal testing and treatment, comparison of maternal and neonatal nontreponemal antibody titers, and clinical evaluation of the neonate. In this review, we present the current epidemiology of syphilis, and the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of syphilis as they relate to pediatric practice, specifically, congenital syphilis and acquired syphilis in adolescents and pregnant women.

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis: Is it a reality in Nigeria by 2020?

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis is a global health problem, yet it has received little attention in recent years. Despite cost-effective syphilis screening and treatment, it continues to contribute hugely to perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and treatment coverage trend for syphilis among pregnant women in the national prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme in Nigeria and to evaluate progress towards the elimination of congenital syphilis in the country. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of validated national health sector performance data on pregnant women attending antenatal care at prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinics from 2013 to 2016 in Nigeria. RESULTS: The proportion of new antenatal care attendees who annually received serological testing for syphilis increased from 12.2% in 2013 to 16.3% in 2016 (p-trend<0.0001). Although the prevalence of maternal syphilis decreased from 3.2% in 2013 to 1.4% in 2016 (p-trend<0.0001), the syphilis treatment coverage during pregnancy has decreased from 71.3% in 2013 to 54.9% in 2016 (p-trend<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal syphilis screening and treatment in Nigeria are inadequate to meet the elimination aspirations. A rapid scale-up of antenatal care syphilis screening and treatment are crucial to averting an epidemic in Nigeria by 2020.

Diferenciais intraurbanos da sífilis congênita: análise preditiva por bairros do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Intraurban differentials in congenital syphilis: a predictive analysis by neighborhood in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Diferenciales intraurbanos de sífilis congénita: análisis predictivo por barrios del municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os casos notificados de sífilis congênita no período de 2011 a 2014, no Município do Rio de Janeiro, e analisar possíveis associações entre a morbidade por sífilis congênita e as condições de vida das populações residentes nos bairros da cidade. Os casos de sífilis congênita foram caracterizados de acordo com variáveis biológicas, socioeconômicas e de utilização de serviços de saúde. No nível agregado, utilizou-se a árvore de regressão como técnica de análise de dados, tendo a taxa de incidência média (2011-2014) de sífilis congênita como variável dependente, e indicadores relativos à qualidade habitacional, educação, renda, gravidez na adolescência, densidade de pobres, acesso à assistência pré-natal e cor da pele como variáveis independentes. Houve mapeamento da variável dependente para a identificação de padrões espaciais. Utilizaram-se dados do SINAN, SINASC e IBGE. Foram notificados 6.274 casos de sífilis congênita, o que representa uma taxa de incidência de 17,3 casos/mil nascidos vivos. Os casos se distribuem preponderantemente na zona central, norte suburbana e oeste da cidade, com elevada proporção de casos com baixa escolaridade e de cor da pele negra. Observou-se alta proporção de gestantes que tiveram diagnóstico tardio de sífilis e tratamento inadequado. No nível agregado, a variável mais relevante para a explicação dos problemas foi a baixa proporção de gestantes que frequentaram, no mínimo, sete consultas de assistência pré-natal. A análise permitiu a identificação de segmentos de populações marginalizadas, podendo direcionar de maneira efetiva a distribuição de recursos de saúde pública.

The study aimed to characterize notified cases of congenital syphilis from 2011 to 2014 in the city of Rio de Janeiro and to analyze possible associations between congenital syphilis and living conditions in the city's neighborhoods. Cases of congenital syphilis were characterized according to biological and socioeconomic variables and health services use. At the aggregate level, regression tree technique was used for the data analysis, with mean incidence rate (2011-2014) of congenital syphilis as the dependent variable and housing quality, schooling, income, teenage pregnancy, poverty density, access to prenatal care, and skin color as independent variables. The dependent variable was mapped to identify spatial patterns. The SINAN, SINASC, and IBGE databases were used for notifiable diseases, live births, and census data, respectively. A total of 6,274 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, which represents an incidence rate of 17.3 cases/1,000 live births. Cases were distributed in the central, northern peripheral, and western zones of the city, with a high proportion of cases in infants of black mothers with low schooling. There was also a high proportion of pregnant women with late diagnosis of syphilis and inadequate treatment. At the aggregate level, the most relevant variable for explaining the problem was the low proportion of pregnant women with at least 7 prenatal visits. The analysis allowed the identification of marginalized population segments and can help direct public health resources more effectively.

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar los casos notificados de sífilis congénita, durante el período de 2011 a 2014, en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, analizar posibles asociaciones entre la morbilidad por sífilis congénita, y las condiciones de vida de las poblaciones residentes en los barrios de la ciudad. Los casos de sífilis congénita fueron caracterizados de acuerdo a variables biológicas, socioeconómicas y de utilización de servicios de salud. En el nivel agregado, se utilizó el árbol de regresión como técnica de análisis de datos, considerando la tasa de incidencia media (2011-2014) de sífilis congénita como variable dependiente, e indicadores relativos a la calidad habitacional, educación, renta, embarazo en la adolescencia, densidad de pobres, acceso a la asistencia prenatal y color de piel como variables independientes. Hubo un mapeo de la variable dependiente para la identificación de patrones espaciales. Se utilizaron datos del SINAN, SINASC e IBGE. Se notificaron 6.274 casos de sífilis congénita, lo que representa una tasa de incidencia de 17,3 casos/1.000 nacidos vivos. Los casos se distribuyen preponderantemente en la zona central, norte suburbana y oeste de la ciudad, con una elevada proporción de casos con baja escolaridad y con color de piel negro. Se observó una alta proporción de gestantes que tuvieron un diagnóstico tardío de sífilis y tratamiento inadecuado. En el nivel agregado, la variable más relevante para la explicación de los problemas fue la baja proporción de gestantes que frecuentaron, al menos, 7 consultas de asistencia prenatal. El análisis permitió la identificación de segmentos de poblaciones marginadas, pudiendo dirigir de manera efectiva la distribución de recursos de salud pública.