Epidemiological characteristics of syphilis infection pregnant women during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum, it is transmitted
by sexual contact (STI), vertical transmission and blood transmission. Without treatment, it can cause
severe complications, such as congenital syphilis in the case of uncontrolled pregnancies1
. Due to the
measures imposed to control the Sars-Cov-2
2 pandemic, and fear of contagion, a decrease in hospital
consultations was observed3
.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of syphilis infection in pregnant women,
from the Provincial Maternity Hospital; between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021. Identify controls for
STIs and treatment for partners of pregnant women. Determine the characteristics of the product of
pregnancy, and the rate of congenital syphilis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective and descriptive study of 204 pregnant
women diagnosed with syphilis was carried out. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women diagnosed
with syphilis and exclusion criteria were those without access to medical records. Descriptive statistics
were performed, N (%) for categorical variables and position and dispersion measures for quantitative
variables. The percentage of positivity of the serological tests for syphilis in pregnant women and the rate
of congenital syphilis were obtained.
RESULTS: 204 pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis were studied. The median, standard deviation of
age was 22 (±6) years. 94(46%) pregnant women lived with a stable union, 95(47%) had incomplete
secondary school, 103(51%) received state aid, 147(72%) did not have social work and 168(82%) lived in
the city of Cordoba. During this period, 3,450 pregnant women underwent serological controls; the
percentage of syphilis positivity in this population was 5.9%. 90 (46%) did not perform adequate prenatal
controls, 68 (33%) received a late diagnosis, 9 (4%) presented a reinfection, and 84 (41%) of the pregnant
women did not receive treatment. 288 couples were monitored, representing 8% of the total pregnant
women monitored, and 89 (44%) of the couples diagnosed with syphilis did not undergo treatment. Of the
pregnancy product, 13(6%) resulted in FM, 4(2%) in abortion and 1(1%) in stillbirth. Of the living NBs,
93 (46%) received complete treatment, 13 (6%) presented clinical evidence compatible with congenital
syphilis and 32 (20%) were premature. In the period studied there were 3428 live newborns, a TSC of 1.7
per thousand live births was determined.
CONCLUSION: Epidemiological surveillance, preventive actions and timely assessment are essential to
control this infection and reduce mother-to-child transmission.