Comparison of maternal and newborn serologic tests for syphilis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the cord blood, newborn serum, and maternal serum for the diagnosis of congenital syphilis.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY.


METHODS
Three hundred forty-eight mother-newborn pairs with positive syphilis serology.


RESULTS
One hundred fifteen newborns (33%) had rapid plasma reagin tests of cord blood that were nonreactive. Their mothers had positive serologic findings. There were 10% false-positive cord blood samples (cord blood rapid plasma reagin tests reactive, newborn serum rapid plasma reagin tests nonreactive) and 5% false-negative cord blood samples (cord rapid plasma reagin tests nonreactive, newborn serum rapid plasma reagin tests reactive). Thirty-three newborns had congenital syphilis. Seven newborns had cord titers fourfold higher than their mothers'; only four of these newborns had congenital syphilis. Maternal serology is superior to cord blood analysis for identifying newborns at risk of congenital syphilis.
Rawstron
S A
SA
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn, Kings County Hospital Center, NY.
Bromberg
K
K
D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005428:Flocculation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D016508:Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption Test; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000097:blood*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000097:blood*