Follow-up of a cohort exposed to vertical transmission of syphilis in Campos dos Goytacazes (RJ), 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital syphilis (CS) occurs at any time during gestation if the pregnant women were not treated or were incorrectly treated during pregnancy. CS can be avoided with adequate prenatal diagnosis and treatment. Benzathine penicillin is the preferred drug. Objective: To evaluate diagnosis and management of congenital syphilis during pregnancy and the correct management of children exposed in a public hospital at Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from medical records of infants born to mothers with syphilis diagnosed during pregnancy or delivery and followed at Pediatric Infectious Diseases Ambulatory during 2016. Results: 84 mother-child binomials were followed-up. The prevalence of syphilis diagnosis was higher in the third trimester of pregnancy 21.40% (18/84) and at delivery, 31% (26/84). About 77.40% of women do not receive adequate therapy during pregnancy. Moreover in 13 cases, investigation was concluded with 2 of them confirmed as CS. Conclusion: Late beginning or not attendance to prenatal consults affected management of syphilis at pregnancy; investigation of newborns was inadequate in many cases and treatment demanded alternative drugs in absence of penicillin G.