title: Congenital syphilis in New York City: 1985-1990.
abstract: The Bureau of STD Control continues to combat NYC's epidemic of congenital syphilis. The demographic profile of this population has remained constant with only a clearer identification of previously reported risk factors: most notably poor prenatal care and substance abuse. There is a suggestion of a plateau having occurred in adult and congenital syphilis, possibly caused by saturation effect on the high-risk population. During the period 1989 through 1990, the rates for cocaine/crack use have remained relatively constant among mothers infected with syphilis. A recent study by the Division of Substance Abuse Services of New York State school-age children demonstrated a drop in cocaine use from 14% in 1983 to 6%. If a similar decline is seen in substance abuse in other age groups, the rate of congenital syphilis may diminish.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NY.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brome-Bunting
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Labes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology*