title: Intravenous penicillin for antenatal syphilotherapy.
abstract: A 21 year old woman (G(2) P(0101)) of 24 weeks gestation presented with syphilis of unknown duration. Sonography revealed fetal hydrops and placental thickening. Weekly intramuscular injections of 2.4 million U Bicillin for 3 weeks was initiated as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Repeat sonogram 1 week after starting treatment revealed increased ascites and a new pericardial effusion. Due to the worsening fetal condition, therapy was altered and the patient was admitted for IV penicillin. She received a continuous infusion of 18 million U penicillin G daily for 10 days. Serial sonograms showed improvement offetal ascites and pericardial effusion with 10 days of IV therapy, and complete resolution of hydrops was noted within 3 weeks. The fetus was born at term with no stigmata of congenital syphilis on newborn exam, and laboratory tests suggested adequate treatment in utero.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Texas A&M University Health Science Center Scott and White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, 2401 S. 31st St. Temple TX 76508 USA.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Galan
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Yandell
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Knight