Congenital syphilis has not disappeared

Abstract

Thirty-three cases of congenital syphilis that were seen at The Children's Hospital, Camperdown, over a 34-year period were reviewed. Twenty-nine cases were examples of early congenital syphilis, as the patients developed clinical features in the first two years of life, and the other four cases were examples of late congenital syphilis, with the clinical features developing between two years and nine months of age and 10 years of age. Twenty-five patients were symptomatic at the time of admission to hospital. The most common clinical feature on the patient's presentation to hospital was a maculopapular or vesiculobullous skin eruption which occurred in 13 of the infants. Hepatic and splenic enlargement were present in 12 cases, and nine children had the "snuffles". Five of the children died. Patient follow-up occurred in fewer than 40% of cases and three of the children who were followed-up suffer from developmental delay. Congenital syphilis can occur in all social groups but is most common in infants who are premature or are small for gestational age and are born to young, unmarried mothers of low socioeconomic status. The treatment of congenital syphilis is simple and effective although the patients may need to be linked with community-health facilities to assist in their compliance with follow-up appointments.