title: The diagnosis and management of maternal and congenital syphilis.
abstract: A clinical update is presented regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of maternal and congenital syphilis. Syphilis is reemerging as an endemic disease among minority heterosexual populations of the United States; the widespread use of crack cocaine has been identified as a major contributing factor. The dramatic nationwide increase of primary and secondary syphilis in women has precipitated a dramatic rise in congenital syphilis. The key to prevention of syphilitic stillbirths and congenitally infected infants is early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in infected pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, Adult Health Division, New Haven, CT 06536-0740.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology