Congenital syphilis

Congenital Syphilis

Description of congenital syphilis

Syphilis is an infection, caused by bacteria. Congenital syphilis is present in the child at birth. In this case the infection is transmitted from mother to child.

This is a potentially serious disease, which requires treatment. Untreated, a child with congenital syphilis can have problems throughout life. It can also cause stillbirth or death in early infancy.

Causes of congenital syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, which is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (Treponema pale). This infection can be transmitted from an infected mother to child. The child can be infected during pregnancy or childbirth.

Risk factors for congenital syphilis

The child has an increased risk of congenital syphilis, if the mother:

• Do not receive prenatal care;
• Abusing drugs before or during pregnancy;
• Prostitute;
• It has unprotected sex.

Symptoms of congenital syphilis

These symptoms, except congenital syphilis, They may be caused by other diseases. If your child experiences any of them, should seek medical advice immediately. Potential symptoms of congenital syphilis include:

• The rash around the mouth, anus, genital;
• Poor weight gain;
• Problems with feeding;
• Fever;
• Severe pneumonia;
• Deformation of the nose, Shoulder, shin;
• Anomalies of teeth;
• Neurological problems;
• Blindness;
• Deafness;
• Irritability.

Diagnosis of congenital syphilis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history of the child, and perform a physical examination. Tests may include the following:

• Blood tests of mother and child, to identify the presence of syphilis;
• Analyses of the placenta;
• Spinnomozgovaya puncture, to look for the presence of syphilis in the spinal fluid;
• Eye examination;
• X-rays of bones.

Treatment of congenital syphilis

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, nazıvaemogo penicillin. It can be assigned to the mother during pregnancy. Penicillin is also assigned infected babies after birth.

Other treatments may be needed, if the child has complications from syphilis. Consult your doctor about the best treatment method.

Prevention of congenital syphilis

To reduce the risk of congenital syphilis in the child, follow these steps::

• Practice Safe Sex;
• If you become pregnant, Get good prenatal care throughout pregnancy;
• If you think, you may be sick of sexually transmitted diseases, Get tested. Follow all the doctor's recommendations;
• Follow the advice of the doctor to undergo screening tests and immunizations.