0
What impacts the number of infants born with congenital syphilis?
GaleEncyofMedicine
Rising rates of syphilis among pregnant women are increasing the number of infants born with congenital syphilis.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Congenital syphilis?
DefinitionCongenital syphilis is a severe, disabling, and often life-threatening infection seen in infants. A pregnant mother who has syphilis can spread the disease through the placenta to the unborn infant.Alternative NamesCongenital lues; Fetal syphilisCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCongenital syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which is passed from mother to child during fetal development or at birth. Nearly half of all children infected with syphilis while they are in the womb die shortly before or after birth.Despite the fact that this disease can be cured with antibiotics if caught early, rising rates of syphilis among pregnant women in the United States have increased the number of infants born with congenital syphilis.SymptomsSymptoms in newborns may include:Failure to gain weight or failure to thriveFeverIrritabilityNo bridge to nose (saddle nose)Early rash -- small blisters on the palms and solesLater rash -- copper-colored, flat or bumpy rash on the face, palms, and solesRash of the mouth, genitalia, and anusWatery discharge from the noseSymptoms in older infants and young children may include:Abnormal notched and peg-shaped teeth, called Hutchinson teethBone painBlindnessClouding of the corneaDecreased hearing or deafnessGray, mucus-like patches on the anus and outer vaginaJoint swellingRefusal to move a painful arm or legSaber shins (bone problem of the lower leg)Scarring of the skin around the mouth, genitalia, and anusSigns and testsIf the disorder is suspected at the time of birth, the placenta will be examined for signs of syphilis. A physical examination of the infant may show signs of liver and spleen swelling and bone inflammation.A routine blood test for syphilis is done during pregnancy. The mother may receive the following blood tests:Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed test (FTA-ABS)Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL)An infant or child may have the following tests:Bone x-rayEye examinationLumbar punctureDark-field examination to better detect syphilis-related bacteria under a microscopeTreatmentPenicillin is used to treat all forms of syphilis.Expectations (prognosis)Many infants who were infected early in the pregnancy are stillborn. Treatment of the expectant mother lowers the risk of congenital syphilis in the infant. Babies who become infected when passing through the birth canal have a better outlook.ComplicationsBlindnessDeafnessDeformity of the faceNeurological problemsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if your baby has signs or symptoms of this condition.If you think that you may have syphilis and are pregnant (or anticipate becoming pregnant), call your health care provider immediately.PreventionSafer sexual practices may help prevent syphilis. If you suspect you have a sexually transmitted disease such as syphilis, seek medical attention immediately to avoid complications like infecting your baby during pregnancy or birth.Prenatal care is very important. A routine blood test for syphilis is done during pregnancy. This identifies infected mothers and allows them to be treated to reduce the risks to the infant and themselves. Infants born to infected mothers who received proper penicillin treatment during pregnancy are at minimal risk for congenital syphilis.ReferencesWolff T, Shelton E, Sessions C, Miler T. Screening for syphilis infection in pregnant women: Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;150:710-716.Workowski KA, Berman SM. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congenital syphilis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;55(RR-11):30-33.Azimi P. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 215.
What temperature monitoring method is used for infants?
In infants Rectal method is used by neumorous number of experts
What can cause Syphilis?
Animals don't get syphilis. Syphilis is a human disease.
What are some symptoms of congenital heart defect?
There are a number of different symptoms of congenital heart defects, as there are many kinds of heart defects. Some common symptoms include chest pain or angina, and heart burn.
What are the impacts of UV radiation?
There can be a number of impacts of UV radiation. These include global warming, melting or glaciers, floods, and various diseases in humans and animals.
What is the child mortality rate?
The number of deaths of infants per 1000 live births.
Is sufficient being done medically to diagnose and prevent the number of infants born with birth defects and diseases in the US?
Is sufficient being done medically to diagnose and prevent the number of infants born with birth defects/ diseases in the United States?
Which is an example of a cogenital defect?
A congenital defect is any abnormality that is caused by defects or damage in a developing fetus. Congenital defects can be caused by a number of things: defects in the fetus's genetic code, abnormalities in the fetus's chromosomes, the environment in the uterus, infection, or many other things. Examples of congenital defects include Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, club foot, and albinism (being an albino).
What are the abnormal results of endorectal ultrasound?
Abnormal results range from any number of congenital deformities in the lining of the rectum to serious rectal cancers
What is the medical condition meaning congenital abnormality in which the urethral opening is on the upper surface of the penis?
Epispadias is the medical term for a congenital defect in which the urethra opens on the dorsum of the penis. Epispadias is due to a defect in the tissue that folds inward to form the urethra.
Syphilis - primary?
DefinitionSyphilis is a frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted disease.Alternative NamesPrimary syphilisCauses, incidence, and risk factorsSyphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. This bacteria causes infection when it gets into broken skin or mucus membranes, usually of the genitals. It is most often transmitted through sexual contact, although it also can be transmitted in other ways.Syphilis occurs worldwide. Syphilis is more common in urban, rather than rural, areas, and the number of cases is rising most rapidly in men who have sex with men. Young adults, ages 15-25, are the highest-risk population. People have no natural resistance to syphilis.Because people may be unaware that they are infected with syphilis, many states require tests for syphilis before marriage. All pregnant women who receive prenatal care are screened for syphilis to prevent the syphilis infection from passing from the mother to the newborn (congenital syphilis).Syphilis has three stages:Primary syphilisSecondary syphilisTertiary syphilisSecondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, and congenital syphilis are not seen as often in the United States as they were in the past because of the availability of free, government-run sexually transmitted disease clinics, screening tests for syphilis, public education about STDs, and prenatal screening.SymptomsPrimary syphilis symptoms include:Chancre -- a small, painless open sore or ulcer on the genitals, mouth, skin, or rectum that should heal by itself in 3-6 weeksEnlarged lymph nodes in the area containing the chancreThe bacteria continue to multiply in the body, but there is little outward evidence of disease until the second stage.Signs and testsDark field examination of fluid from soreSerumRPR or serumVDRL (used as screening tests to detect syphilis infection -- if positive, one of the following tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis:) FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody test)MHA-TPTreatmentSyphilis can be treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin G benzathine, doxycycline, or tetracycline (for patients who are allergic to penicillin). Length of treatment depends on the extent of the syphilis and factors such as the patient's overall health.For treatment of syphilis during pregnancy, penicillin is the drug of choice. Tetracycline cannot be used because it is dangerous to the fetus, and erythromycin may not prevent congenital syphilis in the fetus. People who are allergic to penicillin should ideally be desensitized to it, then treated with penicillin.Several hours after getting treatment for the early stages of syphilis, people may experience Jarish-Herxheimer reaction, which is caused by an immune reaction to the breakdown products of the infection.Symptoms of this reaction include:ChillsFeverGeneral feeling of being ill (malaise)HeadacheJoint achesMuscle achesNauseaThese symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.Follow-up blood tests must be done at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure that the infection is gone. Avoid sexual contact when the chancre is present, and use condoms until two follow-up tests have indicated that the infection has been cured.All sexual partners of the person with syphilis should also be treated. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.Expectations (prognosis)Syphilis can be completely cured if diagnosed early and treated thoroughly.ComplicationsCardiovascularsyphilisCongenital syphilisNeurosyphilisSecondary syphilisSyphilitic meningitisTertiary syphilisCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of syphilis.If you have had intimate contact with a person who has syphilis or any other STD, or have engaged in any high-risk sexual practices, including having multiple or unknown partners or using intravenous drugs, contact your doctor or get screened in an STD clinic.PreventionIf you are sexually active, practice safe sex and always use a condom.All pregnant women should be screen for syphilis.ReferencesU.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Syphilis Infection: Recommendation Statement. Ann Fam Med. 2004;2:362-365.Tremont EC. Treponema pallidum (Syphilis). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 235.
Top ten mortality rate in the Philippines?
In 2008, 26 infants died per 1000 live births. The infant mortality rate in the Philippines is about 35 deaths per 1,000 live births. This number varies and those mothers with little education run a higher risk of infant mortality. The infant mortality rate in the Philippines was 24 per 1,000 livebirths in 2006.
