Everyone Healthy Library
Congenital Syphilis
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
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Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Condition overview
Attributes
Ageis Infant
Commonality for Afghanistanis common
Commonality for Central Africais common
Commonality for Pakistanis common
Commonality for Sub Saharan Africais common
Linked signs and symptoms
12Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
3Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
4Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
8These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- Bilirubin Concentration (Neonates, Neonatal Bilirubin)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Fetal Biophysical Profile (FBP)
- Monocyte Absolute Count
- Treponema Pallidum Serology Test (FTA ABS, Syphilis Serology)
Biological markers/agents
7This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
6- Albumin (Cerebrospinal Fluid, CSF)Reference range exampleAll: 10–35 mg/dL; All: 56–76 %Linked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration, Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- BilirubinReference range exampleBirth - 2wks: 1–10 mg/dL; 0.3–1Linked diagnostic testsBilirubin Concentration (Neonates, Neonatal Bilirubin)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Total ProteinReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 15–45 mg/dL; Child (< 10y): 15–70 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation RateReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 0–20 mm/Hr; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 0–15 mm/HrLinked diagnostic testserythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- MonocytesReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 3–7 %; 0.1–0.5 million/mLLinked diagnostic testsDifferential White Blood Cell Count Tests, Monocyte Absolute Count
- Treponema Pallidum Specific Antibodies (FTA ABS, Syphilis Serology)Reference range exampleAll: 0–1 NegativeLinked diagnostic testsTreponema Pallidum Serology Test (FTA ABS, Syphilis Serology)
Often decreased
1Introduction / full article
Congenital Syphilis
Congenital syphilis
Congenital syphilis is a severe and often fatal infection among fetus and infants that is caused by a spiral shaped bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The bacterium is passed on by the mother to the baby commonly through the transplacental route. Around 50% of the infected babies die while inside the womb or shortly after being born. Congenital syphilis may be categorized as early or late. The early type manifests from birth up to two years of age with most cases identified during the first three months of life. Beyond two years of age, the disease is considered as late type. It is extremely important to detect the disease early so that screening during prenatal visits is very much promoted especially to mothers at high risk. [1]
Causes
The causative organism is a gram negative, motile type of bacterium named Treponema pallidum. In congenital syphilis, this bacterium readily crosses the placenta. Adults usually acquire the disease via sexual activities that involve direct contact with a syphilis sore that can be located in the genitals, anal or the mouth area. [2][3][4]
Signs and Symptoms
Many patients do not have symptoms. In early congenital syphilis, the patient may have skin rashes or blisters in the palms or soles. Some may have pinpoint rashes at the diaper area. Others present with a watery or bloody nasal discharge. Newborns may find it difficult to thrive and may develop pneumonia, meningitis and hydrocephalus. Some patients may have intellectual impairment and pseudoparalysis.
Late onset type symptoms include bone pain, blindness, deafness, joint swelling and skin lesions in the mouth, genitals and anus. The patient may also have an abnormally notched set of teeth referred to as Hutchinson teeth. [1] [2] [4]
Diagnosis
Screening tests conducted during pregnancy such as Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-ABS) test, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test may detect congenital syphilis. When the disease is suspected at the time of birth, the placenta is often assessed. Pediatric patients usually undergo laboratory exams including eye tests, dark-field exams, lumbar puncture and bone imaging tests. [2]
Treatment
Penicillin is the standard drug used in treatment. When treatment is started early, serious consequences are frequently avoided. [4]
References:
1. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections_in_neonates/congenital_syphilis.html
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001344.htm
3. http://virology-online.com/Bacteria/Spirochaetes.htm
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site3229/mainpageS3229P1.html