Sonoma County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health

Perinatal Syphilis

This newsletter is revisiting the topic of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis. Rates continue to be high in Sonoma County, as well as in the State. We hope this information helps you to feel more knowledgeable and ready to help increase access to screening, treatment, and readiness to take the necessary steps to make sure these services are available.

 

Our Interim Health Officer Dr. Baldwin-Santana has shared a letter that includes guidance on how to best address this issue:

https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/dear-colleague-letter-increasing-cases-of-syphilis-among-females-and-of-congenital-syphilis

 

Syphilis in pregnant persons can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or the baby’s death shortly after birth. Approximately 40% of babies born to women with untreated syphilis are stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn. Babies born with congenital syphilis are at risk for bone damage, severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, nerve problems causing blindness or deafness, meningitis or skin rashes.


Pregnant persons should be screened

three times during pregnancy.

Ideally the first screening is done during the first trimester, the second during the third trimester (between 28-32 weeks) and the third at delivery. Those with syphilis should be treated as soon as possible. Infants born to mothers with syphilis during pregnancy should be evaluated for congenital syphilis per CDC guidelines.


Congenital Syphilis in Sonoma County


The California Department of Public Health recommends expanded syphilis screening for all people

who are or could become pregnant.

 

Pregnant patients with syphilis may require intensive case management to ensure that they have access to treatment and care. Contact Sonoma County Public Health at 707-565-4567 to assist with navigation and support services. Preventing congenital syphilis is a critical priority for public health in California and Sonoma County. Together we can eradicate this disease.

Additional Resources

Syphilis/Congenital Syphilis/STDs

• Expanded Syphilis Screening Recommendations for the Prevention of Congenital Syphilis 2020: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Expanded-Syphilis-Screening-Recommendations.pdf

• CDPH STD Control Branch Congenital Syphilis Webpage: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/CongenitalSyphilis.aspx

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/

• California Prevention Training Center: https://californiaptc.com/

• STD Clinical Consultation Network: https://stdccn.org/

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