US Health Crisis: Surge in Preventable Newborn Syphilis Cases Triggers Alarm

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Nov 09, 12:48 am

Photo: (Photo : Photo by Chris Anderson on Unsplash)

U.S. public health officials are sounding the alarm over a startling surge in babies born with syphilis, prompting an urgent call for preventative action.

Congenital syphilis, contracted by babies in the womb from an infected mother, presents not only a severe risk but potentially life-threatening consequences. Each case is labeled a "never event" by health experts, denoting it as entirely preventable given timely diagnosis and treatment.

A single course of penicillin, administered a month before childbirth, can almost always prevent transmission from mother to child. Despite this simple preventive measure, the U.S. will have seen more than 3,700 newborns with syphilis in 2022, marking a shocking 32% increase from the prior year and a staggering tenfold rise since 2012. This uptick includes nearly 300 infants who died or were stillborn, as outlined in a CDC report.

Treatment and Prevention: Penicillin Proves Almost Always Effective When Used Correctly

These figures represent the highest incidence of congenital syphilis in the U.S. in over 30 years, a trend that the CDC's Division of STD Prevention Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Laura Bachmann, finds deeply concerning.

Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer, emphasized the heartbreaking rate at which the congenital syphilis crisis has escalated in the country, despite repeated warnings and calls to action.

In addition to stillbirth, untreated syphilis in babies can lead to organ and bone damage, as well as impair vision and hearing, potentially resulting in lifelong health complications.

The CDC's recent statements use strong language to describe the U.S. situation as "dire" and "alarming," urging the medical community at large to participate in screening and treating infected individuals to protect newborns.

Dr. Deepika Sankaran of Adventist Health in California attests to the challenge of integrating syphilis screening in emergency care settings, an initiative she deems critical but difficult to implement.

David Harvey, of the National Coalition of STD Directors, expressed shock at the increase, viewing it as indicative of the failing maternal and child health and STI public health systems in the U.S. The group is advocating for significant government action and investment, akin to the response to the mpox outbreak.

Disproportionate Impact: Racial Disparities in Congenital Syphilis Cases Uncovered

The urgency of these efforts, however, faces challenges, including budget cuts and a shortage of Bicillin, the penicillin variant crucial for treating syphilis during pregnancy. This shortage is not expected to resolve until mid-2024, leaving the future impact on syphilis cases uncertain.

The CDC report for 2022 showed that in 88% of congenital syphilis cases, there were missed opportunities for either testing or treating the birth parents effectively. The lack of proper treatment was especially prevalent in vulnerable populations, including those with substance use disorders, lower income, or limited education, as well as in incarcerated individuals.

Significant racial disparities were evident in the report, with babies born to black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native mothers at an eightfold higher risk of congenital syphilis than those born to white mothers.

Some states, such as New Mexico, have implemented mandatory syphilis testing during pregnancy. However, the CDC advocates for broader screening in communities with high levels of syphilis infection and advises immediate treatment based on positive rapid screening results, even before full diagnosis confirmation.

This critical situation underscores the need for a coordinated and robust public health response to prevent further tragedies and protect the most vulnerable-newborn babies-from a preventable and curable disease.