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Congenital syphilis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Congenital lues; Fetal syphilis

Treatment:

Penicillin 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.

Complications:

Blindness
Deafness
Facial deformity
Neurological problems

Calling your health care provider:

Call 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.

Reviewed last on: 10/8/2007
Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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