Babies born with syphilis reach record high in San Diego County

Christy Simeral
·2 min read

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The number of babies born with syphilis in San Diego County has reached a new record for the region, county health officials announced Tuesday.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted. When a parent spreads the infection to its baby during pregnancy, it is known as congenital syphilis.

In 2022, 35 babies were born with syphilis in the county. That’s up from 30 in 2021, and the rate of congenital syphilis increased by nearly 1,200% since 2013, health officials said.

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The increase in congenital cases comes as cases of syphilis have spiked in women of potential childbearing age. Cases in women between 15 and 49 years old rose from 369 in 2021 to 424 in 2022.

Across the United States, syphilis cases, including congenital syphilis, have increased since the early 2000s, apart from a slight decrease between 2021 and 2022.

If not treated, congenital syphilis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or death. Babies born with syphilis can develop bone abnormalities, anemia, enlarged livers or spleens, loss of vision and loss of hearing, among other brain and nerve issues.

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Women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant can be tested for the infection at a county clinic. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, even during pregnancy. Sexual partners of someone with syphilis can also be tested and treated in order to prevent re-infecting the pregnant person.

“You can protect your baby by getting tested during your first prenatal visit to your doctor and during your third trimester visit, and then getting treatment during your pregnancy if you do have syphilis,” County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., is quoted as saying in a news release. “It’s important to get tested because you can have syphilis and not know it and unfortunately pass it on to your baby.”

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