The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued a new recommendation that all pregnant women should be screened for syphilis three times (once during the first visit, once in the third trimester, and once at birth). This comes as the number of newborns with syphilis in the United States has skyrocketed in recent years. Although the screening is not mandatory, healthcare professionals generally adhere to ACOG’s guidelines.
According to Dr. Laura Riley, who chairs the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and contributed to the new guidance, the cases of congenital syphilis have been steadily increasing over the past decade, despite being preventable. She emphasizes the need for improved diagnostics and treatment to address this unacceptable situation.
Previously, ACOG recommended a single syphilis test during the third trimester, but only for women considered at risk of contracting the infection during pregnancy or those living in communities with high rates of the disease. However, Dr. Riley points out that this risk-based approach can lead to missed cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported earlier this year that more than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022, the highest number in over three decades. The CDC called for enhanced prevention measures, including screening through blood tests. ACOG’s advisory said that nearly 90% of congenital syphilis cases in 2022 could have been prevented with timely screening and treatment.
Pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis are typically treated with at least two doses of penicillin. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, neonatal death, or severe health problems in newborns, such as deformed bones, severe anemia, blindness, or deafness. Dr. Riley emphasizes the importance of taking this issue seriously, as the birth defects caused by congenital syphilis can be devastating and incredibly sad.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.