Objectives. The recent spread of syphilis to fertile women in some European countries has led to an increased risk of congenital syphilis (CS). We tried to outline the extent of this problem in Northern-Central Italy, the risk factors for mother/child infection, the appropriateness of case management, and the features of infected children. Methods. This descriptive case series includes all mother-child pairs at risk for CS, identified between Jan. 1st 2000 and Dec. 31st 2003 in four Italian cities. Information was collected by registration and follow-up forms. Children were followed until their infection status was defined. Results. Forty-seven mother-child pairs were identified with increasing frequency over the study period; 10 (21.3%) women were Italian, 37 foreigners. Fourteen (31.8%) women had other Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There was a high prevalence of intrauterine growth delay (8.7%) and stillbirths (9.1%). Only 26 women were tested within the 16th week of gestation. Nineteen women (40.4%) were at high risk of transmission; among their children, 10 (52.6%) received specific treatment. Infection status was defined in 37 children, and 4 out of 15 (26.7%) born to women at high risk of transmission were infected. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the number of at-risk pregnancy for CS is increasing in Northern-Central Italy, mostly following immigration, and universal prenatal screening for syphilis should be restored. The mother-child management was often not in line with the current guidelines, presumably because obstetricians and pediatricians have lost specific knowledge of this infection.

Increasing number of pregnancies at risk for congenital syphilis in the new millennium in Northern-Central Italy / C. Riva, A. Alice, L. Lazier, A. Vigano, V. Giacomet, P. Osimani, R. Cordiali, R. Contiero, P.-. Tovo. - In: THE ITALIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS. - ISSN 1720-8424. - 32:4(2006 Aug), pp. 201-207.

Increasing number of pregnancies at risk for congenital syphilis in the new millennium in Northern-Central Italy

A. Alice;V. Giacomet;
2006

Abstract

Objectives. The recent spread of syphilis to fertile women in some European countries has led to an increased risk of congenital syphilis (CS). We tried to outline the extent of this problem in Northern-Central Italy, the risk factors for mother/child infection, the appropriateness of case management, and the features of infected children. Methods. This descriptive case series includes all mother-child pairs at risk for CS, identified between Jan. 1st 2000 and Dec. 31st 2003 in four Italian cities. Information was collected by registration and follow-up forms. Children were followed until their infection status was defined. Results. Forty-seven mother-child pairs were identified with increasing frequency over the study period; 10 (21.3%) women were Italian, 37 foreigners. Fourteen (31.8%) women had other Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There was a high prevalence of intrauterine growth delay (8.7%) and stillbirths (9.1%). Only 26 women were tested within the 16th week of gestation. Nineteen women (40.4%) were at high risk of transmission; among their children, 10 (52.6%) received specific treatment. Infection status was defined in 37 children, and 4 out of 15 (26.7%) born to women at high risk of transmission were infected. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the number of at-risk pregnancy for CS is increasing in Northern-Central Italy, mostly following immigration, and universal prenatal screening for syphilis should be restored. The mother-child management was often not in line with the current guidelines, presumably because obstetricians and pediatricians have lost specific knowledge of this infection.
Congenital syphilis; Infection; Newborn; Pregnancy
Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica
ago-2006
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/728853
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