Congenital Syphilis: Epidemiological Overview in Southeast Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis, a notifiable disease with distinct clinical stages, poses severe risks for infants. Vertical transmission, especially during primary and secondary stages, can result in various clinical manifestations. Untreated complications include deafness, blindness, and fetal death. Despite the role of prenatal screening in early diagnosis and simultaneous treatment for pregnant women and partners, persistent obstacles impact primary prevention efforts. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between inadequate prenatal care and the treatment of pregnant women's partners with the increasing cases of syphilis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System in the southeast region of Brazil, covering all reported and investigated congenital syphilis cases from 2016 to 2021. Observed variables included prenatal care, partner treatment, confirmed cases per year and state, maternal education, diagnosis timing, gender, age, race of affected individuals, and disease progression. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2021, 57,012 cases of congenital syphilis were recorded in southeast Brazil. Most pregnant women with affected infants had education up to high school and received prenatal care. However, over half of the partners were inadequately treated. CONCLUSION: The study identified serious public health issues related to congenital syphilis in the southeast region due to the inefficiency of prevention and control measures. To address this situation, it is essential to implement strategies such as early pregnancy detection, prenatal screening, widespread availability of rapid tests, and healthcare professionals' training.