Title: Congenital syphilis in Lusaka--II. Incidence at birth and potential risk among deliveries.

POPLINE Document Number: 018223

Author(s):

Hira SK
Bhat CJ
Ratnam AV
Chintu C
Mulenga RC

Source citation:

East African Medical Journal, 1982 May;59(5):306-10.

Abstract:

To determine the incidence of congenital syphilis among infants born at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, cord blood was tested for reagin antibody in 469 consecutive deliveries (464 livebirths and 5 stillbirths) during the 1st 2 weeks of March 1981. The Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay test was positive in 30 (6.5%) of the infant-mother pairs. Seroreactive mother were younger and of lower socioeconomic status than seronegative mothers, but marital status, education, and parity were comparable. The incidence of abortion and stillbirth in earlier pregnancies was significantly higher in seroreactive mothers (p>0.05). 396 mothers (85.3%) had attended antenatal clinics, but only 284 (71.7%) had been screened for syphilis. Of the 30 seroreactive mothers, 10 had a reactive test during pregnancy (only 8 of whom received treatment), 10 had negative tests, and 10 were not tested. 4 of the 30 seroreactive infants had clinical signs of congenital syphilis at birth. An additional 2 babies were stillborn, and 8 others required intensive care due to prematurity, asphyxia, or conjunctivitis. Although other infants in this group may have had subclinical or latent syphilis, follow-up was not attempted. On the basis of the high risk of congenital syphilis identified in this study it is recommended that: 1) every pregnant women be screened for syphilis early in pregnancy and again in late pregnancy in order to detect infection acquired in the interim, 2) both sexual partners receive simultaneous treatment to prevent reinfection, 3) cord blood be screened in infants of mothers who did not receive antenatal care, and 4) infants of women who did not deliver in a health care facility should be evaluated for syphilis either at primary vaccination or at earliest contact with a health facility.

Keywords:

Clinical Research
Zambia
Africa South of the Sahara
Africa
Congenital Abnormalities
Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities
Infant
Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention
Infections
Antenatal Care
Research Methodology
Africa, Southern
Developing Countries
Diseases
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reproductive Tract Infections
Maternal Health Services
Maternal-Child Health Services
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health