Syphilis In Pregnancy
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that is, it is spread by having unprotected sex with someone who is infected. It can also be passed to the baby through the placenta. Today you will learn everything about syphilis in pregnancy.
The most common way of transmission of syphilis is through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, it is also possible to catch it by kissing someone who has a sore in their mouth or by exposing an area of skin that is scratched or open to a syphilis sore.
It is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum . If left untreated, syphilis in pregnancy can have very serious long-term consequences. Fortunately, if caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.
How is syphilis detected?
At the first prenatal care visit, the healthcare professional will do blood tests on the expectant mother. If you think you may be infected, you will do another blood test in the third trimester and after giving birth.
This infection goes through several stages with different signs or symptoms:
- Primary stage : Lesion (sore or blister) in the genital area (penis or vagina) called a chancre. It is not painful.
- Secondary stage : Rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or other parts of the body. There may also be warts or other lesions on the anus, genitals, and mouth. Other symptoms can include hair loss and general malaise.
- Latent stage : There are no signs or symptoms. Secondary symptoms can recur after a latent stage.
- Tertiary stage : Small tumors in the skin, bones or any other organ, enlargement of the heart and blood vessels, and chronic disorders of the nervous system (blindness, mental alteration or paralysis).
How is it transmitted?
The bacteria that cause syphilis can travel through the bloodstream to the placenta and infect the baby at any time during pregnancy. It can also infect you during childbirth. If it is found and treated early, you are probably not at risk.
But if left untreated, there is a great chance that the baby will catch it, especially in the early stages of the disease, when it is most infectious.
Most of the time, syphilis is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, but it can also happen during vaginal delivery if the baby comes in contact with a sore. If the baby is born already infected, there are cases of congenital syphilis.
Complications
About 40% of untreated pregnant women with syphilis have a miscarriage, have a baby who is born lifeless, or who dies shortly after birth.
Some of the complications that can affect the baby are:
- Premature birth.
- Delayed fetal growth and low birth weight.
- Damage to bones and teeth.
- Loss of vision and hearing.
- Neurological problems
To do?
If the case of syphilis is confirmed and treatment is received, the chances of the baby being infected are greatly reduced. Some of the recommended precautions are:
- Inform the gynecologist of your illness.
- Get immediate prenatal care.
- Go to periodic reviews and carry out the appropriate analyzes.
- Check if your partner is also infected.
Discover: Prenatal diagnosis, what it consists of and tests
About treatment
Syphilis is treated with antibiotic medications, usually penicillin.
According to the MSD Manual, the treatment of choice in all stages of syphilis and during pregnancy is extended-release penicillin (benzathine penicillin [Bicillin LA]). The combination of benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin (Bicillin CR) should not be used.
With proper treatment and good prenatal care, the chances of the baby catching syphilis in pregnancy are practically nil.
