Sharp Increase in Syphilis Rates Among Pregnant Women Raises Concerns
Syphilis rates among pregnant women have seen a sharp increase, raising concerns among health officials. According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of syphilis in pregnant women has tripled since 2016. In 2022, 280.4 pregnant women per 100,000 births tested positive for the sexually transmitted disease, compared to 87.2 per 100,000 births in 2016.
Of particular concern is the risk of congenital syphilis, a preventable but serious condition that occurs when a woman passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy. Approximately 40 percent of babies born to women with untreated syphilis are stillborn or die from the infection as newborns. The risk of premature births and birth defects, such as bone damage, serious anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, nerve problems causing blindness or deafness, meningitis, or skin rashes, is also higher.
This increase in syphilis rates among pregnant women is occurring alongside a nationwide outbreak of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia. Health officials attribute this outbreak to casual hookups and the surge in popularity of dating apps like Hinge and Bumble. The rise in premature births and birth defects in recent years has left doctors puzzled.
In 2022, more than 10,000 women who gave birth had syphilis, a significant increase from 3,400 in 2016. This means that there was one maternal syphilis case for every 357 births. Nationwide, there were 3,755 cases of congenital syphilis in 2022, marking a ten-fold increase from a decade earlier and a 31 percent increase year-on-year. Tragically, this resulted in 282 stillbirths and infant deaths in 2022.
The CDC report also revealed that the rate of syphilis for women of reproductive age and congenital syphilis increased by over 250 percent between 2016 and 2022. Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria, which leads to sores around the genitals and mouth.
Certain states experienced a significant surge in syphilis rates. New Mexico, Colorado, Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana, and Alaska saw syphilis rates rise by more than 400 percent. South Dakota had the highest change in rate, with a staggering 763 percent increase between 2016 and 2022. On the other hand, seven states, including Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Idaho, and Utah, saw increases of less than 100 percent in syphilis rates. Three states, namely Maine, Vermont, and Wyoming, did not experience any significant change.
A CDC report from November attributed the increase in congenital syphilis to a lack of adequate treatment during pregnancy. Dr. Irene Stafford, a maternal-fetal medicine physician with UTHealth Houston, highlighted that the majority of pregnant patients are not getting tested for syphilis or receiving timely treatment if diagnosed. The report emphasized that maternal syphilis rates are lowest among women who begin receiving prenatal care in their first trimester. Conversely, rates are highest among women who do not receive any prenatal care.
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, especially in its early stages. Primary syphilis typically begins as a sore on the vagina or penis or around the mouth, which usually disappears after a few weeks. It can develop into a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Early-stage syphilis can be cured in most cases with a single penicillin shot. If left untreated, syphilis can progress to secondary syphilis, which manifests as a rash, lesions, and swollen lymph nodes. In serious cases, syphilis can lead to organ failure, blindness, and even death. Years after exposure, the infection can affect vital organs and the nervous system, potentially causing blindness or dementia.
Symptoms of syphilis in pregnant women include sores around the vagina, a rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, hair loss, muscle aches, and fever. It is important to note that anyone infected with syphilis can pass it on to others through direct contact with a sore or during sexual activity.
Experts have pointed out a decline in condom use among American men, with studies showing a nearly 30 percent drop since 2011. This decline in condom use may contribute to the spread of syphilis and other STDs.
The sharp increase in syphilis rates among pregnant women is a cause for concern. It highlights the importance of regular testing and timely treatment during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis and its devastating consequences. Health officials urge pregnant women to
