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Syphilis in pregnancy: identifying and managing a historic problem on the rise
Author(s) -
Dewick Louise,
Jayaprakasan Kanna,
Raouf Sanaria
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1111/tog.12669
Subject(s) - syphilis , congenital syphilis , medicine , pregnancy , disease , psychological intervention , public health , pediatrics , transmission (telecommunications) , obstetrics , family medicine , psychiatry , nursing , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , pathology , biology , genetics , electrical engineering , engineering
Key content Cases of syphilis in the UK rose by 162% between 2008 and 2018, prompting the publication of a Public Health England Action Plan in June 2019. While congenital syphilis remains rare, there have been recent cases in babies of women in England who had screened negative for the disease at booking; these women therefore acquired the infection in pregnancy. Timely diagnosis and treatment is critical because vertical transmission can be greatly reduced by these interventions.Learning objectives To highlight the clinical signs seen in early stages of the disease to enable timely diagnosis. To outline antenatal features seen in the fetus. To become familiar with the interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosing syphilis. To understand treatment options for syphilis. To describe the likely outcomes and possible adverse sequelae associated with congenital syphilis.Ethical issues With cases of congenital syphilis occurring in babies of women who acquire the disease in pregnancy, which women, if any, should be offered repeat screening?