Congenital syphilis is a severe, disabling, and often life-threatening infection seen in infants, caused by untreated syphilis in the mother during pregnancy. An unborn baby can get congenital syphilis from an infected mother during pregnancy or at birth. Congenital syphilis is spread from mother to child during pregnancy through the placenta.
To completely avoid STIs, abstain from vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
The best prevention for congenital syphilis is for all pregnant women to get tested and treated for syphilis early in pregnancy.
Testing for congenital syphilis is typically done through blood tests during pregnancy and after birth.
Symptoms in infants can include failure to gain weight, fever, irritability, and deformities of the face, teeth, and bones.
Congenital syphilis can be treated with penicillin if detected early. Treatment of the mother during pregnancy can prevent the infection in the baby.
Complications of untreated congenital syphilis can include severe physical deformities, neurological problems, and even death.
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