Syphilis in newborns reaches 20-year high

New 2017 STD Surveillance Report reveals need for improved testing and treatment for pregnant women

Cases of congenital syphilis - when syphilis is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy - more than doubled in the U.S. since 2013, outpacing overall increases in STDs nationwide. Congenital syphilis can result in miscarriage, newborn death, and severe lifelong health problems.

Key findings

• In 2017 there were 918 reported cases of congenital syphilis, up from 362 in 2013
• 70% of cases in 2017 were concentrated in just five states

Syphilis testing is crucial during pregnancy

• Once diagnosed, syphilis during pregnancy is easily cured with the right antibiotics
• All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis early in the first trimester
• Testing once may not be enough - women at increased risk for syphilis should also be tested in the third trimester and again at delivery

"No parent should have to bear the death of a child when it would have been prevented with a simple test and safe treatment."
– Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, Director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention