Congenital syphilis

Alternative names:

congenital lues; fetal syphilis

Prevention:

Safer sexual practices can help to prevent the mother from obtaining syphilis. Uninfected mothers cannot give syphilis to their unborn infant. Infected mothers should be treated as soon as they are diagnosed.

Prenatal care for expectant mothers is a necessity. During prenatal care evaluations a routine serologic test for syphilis is done. This identifies infected mothers and allows them to be treated before any harm comes to the baby.