Maternal-to-Fetal Transmission of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis

Abstract

Between 2012 and 2018, rates of congenital syphilis increased by 291% in the United States. In 2018, the rate of congenital syphilis was the highest it has been since 1995. Given these concerning epidemiologic trends, this review seeks to summarize the maternal-to-fetal transmission of syphilis to ensure adequate care of affected mothers and their infants. It also serves as a call to reinvest public health resources and reestablish infrastructure to ensure reversal of this concerning trend to stop preventable perinatal deaths, associated morbidities, and long-term consequences of congenital syphilis.