CBS NEWS – New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is bringing attention to an alarming increase in babies born with syphilis over the past decade.
CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry said in a news release:
“The congenital syphilis crisis in the United States has skyrocketed at a heartbreaking rate.
“New actions are needed to prevent more family tragedies. We’re calling on healthcare providers, public health systems, and communities to take additional steps to connect mothers and babies with the care they need.”
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that, during pregnancy, can be passed on to the baby.
It has the potential to cause tragic outcomes including miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and lifelong medical issues.
The 3,761 cases of congenital syphilis reported in 2022 included 231 stillbirths and 51 babies who died in infancy, the CDC said.
And while newborn syphilis cases are increasing nationwide and across every racial and ethnic group, Bachmann noted that Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native communities are experiencing “the brunt of the newborn syphilis epidemic” …
“The number of babies born with syphilis is surging” – CDC, NOV 7, 2023
CDC – Increasing rates of syphilis among babies reflect a failure of the U.S. health system.
Testing for and treating syphilis during pregnancy more than 30 days before delivery can prevent this infection in newborns.
Too many people are not being tested and treated early enough during pregnancy.
Two in 5 cases of babies born with syphilis happened in people who did not receive any prenatal care. source
