title: Unusual presentation of congenital syphilis.
abstract: Congenital syphilis (CS) usually presents in the neonatal period and may involve any organ system. The signs are diverse and a high index of suspicion must be maintained to make the diagnosis. Early congenital syphilis can present at any time before 2 years of age, but a review of the literature over the last 30 years indicates that it usually presents in the neonatal period and seldom later than 3-4 months of life. We report an 8-month-old boy who presented an unusual combination of signs of congenital syphilis, which led to delay in establishing the diagnosis. This case emphasises the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for CS throughout early childhood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 092karin@chiron.wits.ac.za
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Simmank
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pettifor
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010400:Penicillin G