Congenital syphilis in Italy: a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of congenital syphilis and its risk factors in Italy.


METHODS
Prospective study from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Data on mother-child pairs were collected for every syphilis seropositive mother.


RESULTS
Maternal syphilis seroprevalence at delivery was 0.17%. 207 infants were born to 203 syphilis seropositive mothers. In 25 newborns it was possible to diagnose congenital syphilis (20/100,000 live births). Maternal risk factors included age <20 years, no antenatal care and no adequate treatment. The infected babies were more often preterm or weighed <2000 g at birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Many syphilis seropositive mothers were foreign born but the risk of an infected newborn was not higher in foreign-born than in Italian seropositive women. The significant factors were lack of antenatal screening and inadequate maternal treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Syphilis is a re-emerging infection in Italy. Prevention strategies should include antenatal serological tests for all pregnant women and treatment for infected mothers.
Tridapalli
Elisabetta
E
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S Orsola-Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. elisabetta.tridapalli@aosp.bo.it
Capretti
Maria Grazia
MG
Reggiani
Maria Letizia Bacchi
ML
Stronati
Mauro
M
Faldella
Giacomo
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult