Table of contents:
- Congenital syphilis, a life-threatening infection for the baby
- Symptoms experienced by babies
- How can congenital syphilis be recognized?
- How to treat cases of congenital syphilis in infants?
- Can this congenital syphilis be prevented?
Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, aka the king of lions, are usually very susceptible to occur in people who do not have safe sex or have multiple partners. Although it is experienced by many adults, in fact this infectious disease may occur in infants. In fact, your little one can be infected since he was still in the womb. This happens because the mother has syphilis to infect the fetus. This condition is called congenital syphilis. So, how dangerous is congenital syphilis for the baby? Can it be cured?
Congenital syphilis, a life-threatening infection for the baby
Congenital syphilis is a serious infection that can cause life-long disability and is deadly in newborns. Infected pregnant women Treponema pallidum can transmit these bacteria to the fetus through the placenta into the fetus.
Congenital syphilis is a life-threatening infection because it can affect various organ systems in the body of the developing fetus. Syphilis infection can affect various organs of the body including the brain, lymphatic system to bones.
Pregnant women are very likely to pass on the infection to the fetus, especially if the disease is not treated and occurs in the second trimester. This infection can also increase the risk of low birth weight, premature birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Symptoms experienced by babies
At first, babies born alive to mothers with syphilis may appear healthy and doing well. However, over time some symptoms can arise. Usually babies under 2 years who have congenital syphilis will experience:
- Bone disorders
- Enlarged liver
- Do not experience significant weight gain compared to weight at birth
- Often fussy
- Meningitis
- Anemia
- Cracked skin around the mouth, genitals and anus
- Rash appears on the skin
- Cannot move arms and legs
- Frequent discharge from the nose
In toddlers and children, symptoms of congenital syphilis can include:
- Teething disorders
- Bone disorders
- Blindness or corneal disorders
- Hearing loss to deafness
- Impaired nasal bone growth
- Swelling of joints
- Skin disorders around the mouth, genitals and anus.
How can congenital syphilis be recognized?
The earliest possible detection of disease in pregnant women can be done by carrying out various blood tests such as fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed test (FTA-ABS), Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL). Early detection and treatment will be very useful to prevent transmission to the fetus.
In newborns, if syphilis infection is suspected, a placental examination can be carried out accompanied by a physical examination of the baby for any symptoms in the body's organs. The baby's physical exam includes:
- X-rays of bones
- Eye examination
- Microscopic examination of syphilis bacteria
- Blood test (same as for pregnant women).
How to treat cases of congenital syphilis in infants?
In pregnant women, treatment will only be effective if syphilis infection occurs in the early phase by administering penicillin-specific antibiotics by a doctor. Handling of late phase syphilis will be very dangerous for the fetus so that it can cause spontaneous abortion reactions.
If the baby has been born, treatment of infection also uses specific antibiotics by the doctor as early as possible in the first 7 days after birth. The antibiotic drug administration regimen will also depend on the condition of the baby's weight and the history of infection and medication of the pregnant woman.
The final symptoms in elderly infants to children who are given antibiotics may also be needed with a gradual reduction in the antibiotic dose and also accompanied by specific treatment for other organs that may be affected by the infection, such as the eyes and ears.
Can this congenital syphilis be prevented?
Congenital syphilis infection is very dependent on the condition and history of infection of the pregnant woman. Adopting safe sexual behavior before conception can keep you from becoming infected and risking transmission of syphilis. If you feel you are at risk of experiencing syphilis infection, consult a doctor immediately. Treatment as early as possible can prevent syphilis infection in the advanced phase.
Examination of pregnant women should also be done as early as possible in the first trimester of pregnancy. Checks should also be done again if the pregnant woman is diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy.
The chances of recovery for both mother and baby avoid infection are very large if syphilis is detected and treated early. In some cases, syphilis that is treated at the end of pregnancy can clear the infection in pregnant women, but the symptoms of syphilis infection can still be seen in newborns.
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