Aetiology
Congenital syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or at birth.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of congenital syphilis is based on clinical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Signs and symptoms may include skin rash, fever, joint pain, and anemia. Laboratory tests that may be used to diagnose congenital syphilis include the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test, and the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis of congenital syphilis includes other infectious diseases such as HIV, rubella, and cytomegalovirus as well as other conditions such as congenital heart disease and Down syndrome.
Treatment
Treatment of congenital syphilis includes antibiotics such as penicillin, doxycycline, or erythromycin. Treatment is usually given to the mother and baby at the same time.
Prognosis
Prognosis of congenital syphilis is generally good if the infection is diagnosed and treated early. Without treatment, the infection