In 2022, the United States recorded 3,761 births of babies with syphilis, compared to just 335 in 2012.
The alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, particularly neonatal syphilis, has caused deep concern among health authorities. They have launched an urgent call for collective action to counter this worrying trend.
In 2022, the United States saw a dramatic increase in the number of babies born with syphilis. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3,761 babies were born with this disease, compared to 335 in 2012, an increase of more than eleven in a decade. The CDC emphasizes that 90% of these cases could have been prevented with appropriate screening and treatment during pregnancy.
Congenital syphilis, transmitted from mother to child during pregnancycan lead to devastating consequences, such as miscarriages, neonatal death, or serious complications for the baby, such as loss of vision or hearing and bone defects. Debra Houry, a senior CDC official, described the situation as “a heartbreaking crisis,” highlighting an intensifying STI epidemic in the United States.
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The Treponema pallidum bacteria responsible for syphilis / The CDC recommends more screening
The CDC attributes the surge in congenital syphilis cases to deep-rooted social and systemic factors, and notes that Babies of black, Native American or Hispanic mothers are up to eight times more likely to be born with syphilis than those of white mothers. Among the obstacles to adequate access to care, they cite lack of health coverage, living in medical deserts, transportation problems, drug use, unstable housing, poverty and racism.
Faced with this worrying situation, the CDC calls on health professionals to seize every opportunity to screen pregnant women. IThey recommend starting treatment immediately after a positive rapid test in a pregnant woman, even if this requires further confirmation. This strategy aims to reduce the number of cases of congenital syphilis and protect the health of newborns in the face of this alarming increase.
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A fashionista at heart, Dora has always dreamed of writing for fashion. After having accomplished her dream and much more, she redirects herself towards current affairs, whether celebrity,…