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Syphilis Effects on Newborn Babies

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that has severe and sometimes deadly consequences for babies who contract the disease from their mothers. Early treatment is essential for protecting newborns from this dangerous infection.

  1. Infection

    • A baby can contract syphilis in the womb when the infection crosses the placenta of an infected woman or when the baby comes in contact with an infectious lesion during birth.

    Consequences

    • About 40 percent of unborn babies of infected women will die just before birth or shortly after, according to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education. Among infected babies born alive, about 12 percent die.

    Symptoms

    • Newborns with syphilis may have skin sores and rashes, pneumonia, fever, inflamed limbs, jaundice, anemia and swollen livers. Not all newborns display symptoms but they will soon develop them if left untreated.

    Complications

    • Newborns who are not treated can develop mental retardation, blindness, deafness, seizures and scarred skin around the anus, genitals and mouth.

    Treatment

    • Pregnant women infected with syphilis can receive penicillin treatment to minimize the risk of passing the infection to the fetus. Babies born with syphilis need immediate treatment with penicillin.

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