The Pennsylvania Department of Health is urging pregnant woman to get tested for syphilis to combat the recent trend of babies being born with the disease.
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Congenital syphilis, which occurs when a pregnant woman with syphilis passes the infection to their baby during pregnancy, can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature births, low birth weight, or death shortly after birth, according to health officials.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported an increase in the number of confirmed cases of congenital syphilis in the state (excluding Philadelphia) over the past five years. Since 2018, there have been 39 confirmed cases of the disease, compared to just six cases in the previous five years.
The trend is particularly alarming to state health officials as there have already been 12 confirmed cases in 2022, along with two stillbirths. This marks the highest level of cases since 1990 when there were 17 confirmed cases.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a significant increase in the number of early syphilis cases among women of childbearing age over the past decade. In 2010, there were 29 cases, but the number jumped to 211 cases in 2021.
Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson emphasized at a recent press conference the importance of testing for syphilis throughout pregnancy in order to prevent children from being born with the disease and reduce the risk of stillbirths.
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“Pregnant patients need to understand that syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If anyone tests positive for syphilis during pregnancy, they should seek treatment right away,” Johnson stated. “We hope that by openly talking about this issue, we can reduce stigma surrounding syphilis testing, and ultimately, increase the number of healthy child births across the state.”
The department is focusing its educational outreach towards pregnant women and others of reproductive age, as well as reminding healthcare professionals of the importance of testing patients for syphilis during pregnancy.
Last year, LevittownNow.com reported on the increase in reported syphilis cases in Bucks County.
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The Bucks County Health Department offers testing and treatment syphilis and other illnesses. For more information on testing and treatment, visit the county health department website.
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