A recent safety notice has been released by the Clinical Excellence Commission advising clinicians of rising rates of infectious syphilis and subsequent congenital syphilis cases.
Mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis) can be devastating, as without treatment over half of cases result in adverse outcomes. The outcomes include preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, fetal loss or stillbirth, and neonatal death.
Positive syphilis cases are being seen amongst population groups that were traditionally not considered high risk.
Syphilis can be safely and easily treated with antibiotics during pregnancy.
As a result of the changes in epidemiology, the Chief Health Officer has recommended that all pregnant women are screened twice during pregnancy for syphilis.
Clinical recommendations:
- Screen all pregnant women for syphilis at least twice during pregnancy (serology at first antenatal visit and again at 26 to 28 weeks)
- All pregnant women who have received minimal or no antenatal care, or are at risk of missing an appointment, should be opportunistically screened at the service they present at, regardless of gestation.
- Consult sexual health or infectious disease clinician for all pregnant women with infectious syphilis. Aboriginal women should be offered culturally appropriate referral pathways