The crucial role of the partner in the incidence of cases of congenital syphilis in the state of Sergipe: an analysis in 17 years

Abstract

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.