Broad approach to congenital syphilis: narrative review

Abstract

Objective: Provide, through a narrative review, a broad approach to Congenital Syphilis (CS). Bibliographic review: Syphilis is a bacterial disease caused by Treponema Pallidum that can be transmitted sexually or vertically. In the case of CS, the baby contracts the disease through the placenta while still in the infected mother's uterus, at any stage of pregnancy. Diagnosis is made based on maternal history, therefore, quality prenatal care is crucial in controlling the disease. The newborn with CS is, in most cases, asymptomatic at birth. The disease is capable of affecting different organic systems and clinical manifestations are divided into early and late. Treatment is carried out with benzathine penicillin, procaine or crystalline depending on the stage of the disease. Final considerations: Congenital syphilis can be easily prevented through adequate prenatal care, where the diagnosis and treatment of the pregnant woman will be carried out, thus avoiding transmission to the fetus. Once CS is found, the baby must be properly treated and receive multidisciplinary follow-up, in order to avoid as much as possible the sequelae of the disease.