Syphilis in childhood: a retrospective study in a pediatric hospital

Abstract

Syphilis is a preventable infectious disease caused by the Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted by sexual activity, transplacentally or during childbirth. In the last decade, there has been an increase in cases of primary and secondary syphilis worldwide, without there existing any official data of the disease acquired during infancy. A descriptive, retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study of 68 patients with diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in our hospital was carried out from January 2011 to December 2015. According to the mode of transmission, 40% were cases of congenital syphilis and 60% acquired syphilis. Among the patients with acquired syphilis, 17% were found to have been sexually abused. Within the most common cutaneous manifestation in congenital syphilis was the palmo-plantar desquamation (30%) and condylomata (87%) in acquired syphilis. As for systemic manifestations, in congenital syphilis long bones have been affected (48%) and lymphadenopathy (61%) in acquired secondary syphilis. All patients were treated with penicillin according to national consensus. Follow-up was lost in 56% of patients. In conclusion, cases of acquired syphilis are more common within our facilities. Our work highlights the flaws that exist in the healthcare system, such us pre and postnatal screening and the sexual education of the population.