Positive serology for syphilis in neonatal period: prevalence in secondary level maternity. Association with maternal risk factors and with positive serology for HIV-1
Guinsburg, R.; dos Santos, A.M.; Leal, D.V.; Pacheco, A.A.; Okida, K.S.; Trigueiro, T.C.; Almeida, M.F.; Kopelman, B.I.
Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira 39(2): 100-104
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-5241 PMID: 8242098 Document Number: 333925
To study neonatal Syphilis seropositivity incidence, its association with HIV-1 seropositivity and the impact of Congenital Syphilis CDC case definition, cord blood VDRL and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) for Syphilis were performed in 3,664 newborns from Dec/91-July/92. A positive group was formed by those with positive VDRL and IHA or just positive IHA. The control group consisted of 200 VDRL and IHA negative neonates. Among the 3,664 neonates 5.6% were seropositive for Syphilis. A significant association was noted (p < or = 0.05) between neonatal seropositivity for Syphilis and mothers older than 20 years, single, with sexual promiscuity, drug use, no pre-natal care, multiparity and previous still-births. All positive neonates fitted in the Presumptive Congenital Syphilis CDC definition. In 50 seropositive for Syphilis neonates ELISA for HIV-1 was performed and 6/50 were positive. Congenital Syphilis is of concern, specially in neonates of mothers with risk factors for Syphilis acquisition. HIV-1 should be considered in seropositive for Syphilis neonates. Adoption of Congenital Syphilis new CDC case definition is advised, particularly in countries where prenatal care is deficient.