Can your baby get syphilis? Let's learn about congenital syphilis

If you are a mother-to-be, you must be thinking a lot about your health and that of your baby these days, right? Sometimes there are conditions that we are unaware of, but can affect the baby. One such condition is 'Congenital Syphilis'. Don't worry, let's talk about this in detail. If you are aware of this, you can avoid many problems.

What is congenital syphilis? Why is it dangerous?

Simply put, congenital syphilis is a condition in which a mother passes syphilis to her baby during birth. If you have syphilis during pregnancy, the infection can be passed on to your baby. This can happen either through the placenta during pregnancy or through a syphilis sore on the mother's body when the baby is born. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But the best thing is that it can be treated with antibiotics. You can get this treatment even if you are pregnant. When you get such treatment, you will not only get better, but you will also be able to protect the fetus in your womb. But, imagine that you are pregnant, you have syphilis, but you have not received treatment. Then this infection can seriously harm your baby. It may cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or even death of the baby a few days after birth. Even if the baby survives, he or she may develop various health problems.

So if you are pregnant and have even the slightest suspicion that you may have syphilis, see a doctor immediately and get tested for syphilis. That way, you can know for sure whether you have the disease or not. If you do, you can start treatment right away. If you get treatment early in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, congenital syphilis can be largely prevented.

It is also very important to talk to your sexual partners about this and get them tested. Because they may also be infected and may need treatment. If they do not receive treatment, you may be reinfected (and then you will have to start treatment all over again). In fact, these days, both congenital and acquired syphilis have increased a bit in the world and in our country. This means that many people may not know that they have the disease. Therefore, talking honestly will help you and your pregnancy a lot.

Are there types of innate immunity?

Yes, doctors classify congenital syphilis according to the time when symptoms appear:

• Early congenital syphilis: Symptoms appear before the baby is 2 years old (usually within three months of birth).
• Late congenital syphilis: Symptoms appear after 2 years.

What are the symptoms of this congenital anomaly?

Now let's see what the symptoms of each of these types are.

Early childhood education (from birth to 2 years)

During this time, the baby may show symptoms such as:

• Bone abnormalities: For example, a condition like osteochondritis .
• Liver enlargement.
• Enlargement of the spleen .
• Jaundice : Yellowing of the eyes and skin.
• Decreased red blood cells ( anemia ) and platelets (thrombocytopenia).
• Soft, wart-like lesions : These are called `condyloma lata`.
• Peeling skin on the hands or feet.
• A rash appears on the neck, hands, and mouth.
• Frequent nasal discharge (`syphilitic rhinitis` or “snuffles”): This is usually ongoing, often starting within a week of birth. This nasal discharge may be white or blood-tinged.

About 6 out of 10 newborns with congenital syphilis will develop neurosyphilis, which affects the nervous system . This can include:

• Impaired blood flow to the brain ( stroke ).
• Eye abnormalities: For example, cataracts or inflammation of the inner layers of the eye (chorioretinitis).
• Conditions such as epileptic symptoms (Seizures).

Some babies don't show any symptoms at birth. But symptoms may appear a few days, weeks, or even months later. But if tests show that there is a risk of infection, doctors will start treating that baby right away.

Late congenital anomaly (after 2 years)

During this time, you may see symptoms like:

• Abnormalities in bone growth.
• Eye abnormalities: For example, inflammation of the cornea.
• Hearing loss.
• Dental abnormalities: Cut marks on the teeth or gaps between the teeth (`Hutchinson's teeth`).

You may be able to see some of these symptoms yourself, but most of them need to be confirmed by a doctor.

Why does this instinct arise?

The main reason for congenital syphilis is that the mother has syphilis.The word "congenital" means "born with" this infection. Babies are born with this infection. But sometimes, the infection can kill the fetus before the baby is born alive. The specific bacteria that cause syphilis (a type of Treponema pallidum) enter the fetus through the placenta. The bacteria go directly into the fetus's bloodstream, from where they can spread throughout the body, damaging bones and major organs. Some babies can also get the disease, albeit rarely, by coming into contact with their mother's syphilis sores at birth. However, not all babies born to mothers with syphilis will develop congenital syphilis. The risk depends on when the mother was infected. The risk is higher for new infections near or during pregnancy than for infections acquired more than a year before pregnancy.

What are the risk factors for this condition?

One of the biggest risk factors for developing congenital syphilis is not getting proper prenatal care. This means not seeing a doctor during your pregnancy, or going too late. If you don't get these tests, you may not know you have syphilis. If it's not treated, it can lead to congenital syphilis and related complications (including miscarriage).

It is very important to start seeing a doctor and attending a clinic during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is during these clinics that your doctor can identify any health problems that may affect your pregnancy early.

There are several other factors that increase the risk of developing syphilis during pregnancy (and thus congenital syphilis):

• Having multiple sexual partners.
• Drug use with sexual activity (without medical prescription).
• Sex for money or services (transactional sex).

What are the complications of this condition?

Congenital syphilis can cause complications during pregnancy such as:

• Miscarriage.
• Preterm birth.
• Low birth weight.
• Stillbirth.
• The baby dies a few days after birth.

If left untreated, babies born with congenital syphilis can develop serious symptoms or die.

How to recognize innate immunity?

Doctors diagnose this condition in these ways:

• By testing you for syphilis during pregnancy: Blood tests can tell if you have a syphilis infection. Based on these results, doctors determine the risk of the fetus developing congenital syphilis.
• Fetal ultrasound:Sometimes doctors can see signs of congenital syphilis (such as an enlarged liver and fluid buildup) on an ultrasound. However, congenital syphilis is not always visible on an ultrasound. Some babies are born with this condition even though they have normal ultrasound results.
• Newborn physical examination and other tests: Doctors will carefully examine newborns who are suspected of having congenital syphilis and look for symptoms. They may do one or more tests, such as blood tests, a lumbar puncture, and X-rays. For example, X-rays can detect bone abnormalities that are common in babies with congenital syphilis.

Some babies are born healthy, but later develop symptoms of congenital syphilis. This is called late congenital syphilis. In children 2 years of age or older, doctors do a complete physical examination to look for signs of congenital syphilis.

What are the treatments for congenital syphilis?

Doctors use the antibiotic penicillin to treat congenital syphilis. They use one or both of these methods:

• Treating you while you are pregnant: This involves giving you one or more injections of penicillin.
• Treating the baby after birth: In this, the baby is given penicillin either intravenously or as an injection.

The exact type of treatment given depends on these factors:

• When did you realize you had syphilis?
• Whether treatment was started during pregnancy, and if so, when.
• The risk of the baby having syphilis at birth.
• Symptoms that the baby shows after birth.

It is best to start treatment during pregnancy, at least 30 days before your baby is born. This will help clear up your infection and help your baby’s infection. However, even if the mother gets treatment quickly, some babies can be born with congenital syphilis. Doctors will assess the risk of your baby developing syphilis at birth and plan treatment accordingly. This risk depends on many things, including whether you have received treatment and the results of certain blood tests. If you were treated for syphilis before you became pregnant and it was completely cured, your baby is much less likely to develop syphilis. In most cases, your baby will not need treatment. If you have syphilis during pregnancy, doctors will carefully assess your baby’s risk. They will look at your treatment history and determine the risk of your baby developing congenital syphilis. Babies at higher risk will need to stay in the hospital and receive penicillin. If you get treatment early in your pregnancy, your baby may not need to stay in the hospital for treatment. They can be sent home under close medical supervision, often with a single injection of penicillin. Your medical team will tell you exactly what to expect during your baby's treatment.

What happens if my child has congenital deafness?

It depends on how the condition affects the development of the fetus and/or the health of the baby after birth. Antibiotics can cure syphilis, but they cannot undo damage that has already occurred. This means that some babies may have long-term effects from the infection (such as changes in vision or hearing). Your baby's medical team will explain what to expect and how to support your baby's needs.

Do babies with congenital anomalies survive?

Yes. Their chances of survival depend on many things, such as when treatment is started. However, in some cases, congenital syphilis can be fatal. If there is fetal death after 20 weeks of pregnancy, you should be tested for syphilis.

Can congenital syphilis be prevented?

Yes, you definitely can! Here are some things you can do to prevent or greatly reduce the risk of your baby developing congenital syphilis:

• Practice safe sex before and during pregnancy: Safe sex means using condoms and dental dams every time you have sex. Also, ask your sexual partners to get tested for STIs and be honest with you about the results. Remember, barrier methods like condoms cannot completely prevent STIs, but they can reduce the risk. To avoid getting syphilis or other STIs during pregnancy, you can also abstain from sexual activity until after you give birth.
• Screening for syphilis during pregnancy: As in many countries, this test is done at the first clinic visit. Sometimes, this test is also done in the last trimester of pregnancy and/or at the time of birth. If you are at high risk of developing syphilis, your doctor may recommend repeat testing.
• Get treatment for syphilis: If you test positive for syphilis before or during pregnancy, treatment can cure the infection and reduce the risk of passing syphilis to your baby. The sooner you start treatment, the better the results. Treatment that starts within 30 days of birth may not be as effective in protecting your baby. That's why it's so important to get tested during pregnancy.

If you are concerned about your risk of developing syphilis or another STI, talk to a doctor. They can tell you about tests and explain which STIs can affect your pregnancy or baby. You may feel uncomfortable talking to a doctor about sex or STIs. But remember, their job is to help you and do everything they can to support your health. Find a doctor who makes you feel comfortable, safe, and respected.

When should I seek medical advice?

If you are pregnant and think you may have syphilis, see a doctor right away. It is very important to get tested and start treatment if you have the disease. If you do not have a regular family doctor, you can get help from a community health center or organization in your area. If your baby is diagnosed with congenital syphilis, you will need to continue to have medical tests (`follow-ups`) even after treatment has finished. These are essential to make sure that the infection is really gone and to check your baby's development. Make sure to take your baby for all these tests and follow the instructions of your medical team. Maybe you are pregnant and have just found out that you have syphilis. You may be wondering, "What do I do now?" Or maybe you have already given birth and your baby is being treated for congenital syphilis. You may feel helpless and overwhelmed. This is not what you expected. Know that there is help, no matter where you are. Talk to your medical team about how you're feeling. They will provide you with the support and resources you need. You don't have to go through this alone.

Take-Home Message

Okay, so let's summarize some of the things you need to remember from what we've talked about:

• Congenital syphilis is a serious condition that is transmitted from mother to baby, but it can be prevented if detected and treated early.
• If you are pregnant, be sure to get tested for syphilis. It is the best way to protect yourself and your baby.
• If you find out you have syphilis, don't panic and start treatment immediately. There are safe treatments that can be taken during pregnancy.
• Safe sex is not just a few words, it is very important for your health and that of your family.
• If you have any questions or concerns, talk openly with a doctor. They are there to help you.

I hope this information is helpful to you. May you find the strength to be a healthy mother and have a healthy baby!

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` Syphilis, congenital syphilis, pregnancy, child health, sexually transmitted diseases, treatment, prevention