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Cited by 47Syphilis Diagnosis and TreatmentNeonatal and Maternal InfectionsPrenatal Screening and Diagnostics

Fetal and neonatal abnormalities due to congenital syphilis: A literature review

David, Marion, Hcini, Najeh, Mandelbrot, Laurent, Sibiude, Jeanne, Picone, Olivier·2022·Prenatal Diagnosis
DOI 10.1002/pd.6135
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Abstract

Objective: The recent recrudescence of syphilis among women of childbearing age is associated with an increasing number of cases of congenital syphilis. We aimed to summarize the fetal and neonatal abnormalities due to congenital syphilis infection, particularly signs amenable to prenatal diagnosis. Methods: Eligible studies were retrieved from the PubMed collection database. Articles focusing on postnatal and antenatal abnormalities covered the periods from 1969 to 2019 and 1975–2019, respectively. This review included cohort studies, case series and case reports reporting findings regarding congenital syphilis infections described before and/or after birth. Articles were reviewed by three experts in prenatal diagnosis, and all findings were classified as amenable or not amenable to prenatal diagnosis. Results: A total of 432 cases of congenital syphilis infection were reported. Abnormalities were described antenatally in 161 cases, postnatally in 319 cases, and in both the antenatal and postnatal periods in 57 cases. The most frequently reported signs amenable to prenatal diagnosis were abdominal abnormalities (hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and bowel abnormalities), fetal growth restriction, and elevated middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in the context of ascites or atypical hydrops. Brain abnormalities were rare and never isolated. In the neonatal period, the most common abnormalities were hepatosplenomegaly, bone damage and skin lesions. Conclusion: We found that no individual sonographic sign or pattern of signs is pathognomonic for fetal syphilis. In fetuses with ultrasound abnormalities suggestive of congenital infection, syphilis must be considered as part of the work‐up.

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  • Congenital abnormalities such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, bowel abnormalities, fetal growth restriction, ascites, hydrops, and elevated middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity are common features observed by prenatal ultrasound in cases with congenital syphilis.

    “Congenital abnormalities, such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, bowel abnormalities, fetal growth restriction, ascites, hydrops, and elevated middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity are common features observed by prenatal ultrasound in cases with congenital syphilis 22”

    From Syphilis in pregnancy: A practical guide for prenatal care providers (2025) · cites this paper as [22]

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Authors
David, M., Hcini, N., Mandelbrot, L., Sibiude, J., & Picone, O.
Affiliations
  • Hôpital Louis-Mourier (FR)
  • Inserm (FR)
ORCID
Venue
Prenatal Diagnosis
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-04-09
Volume
42
Issue
5
Pages
643-655
ISSN
  • 0197-3851 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0223
DOI
10.1002/pd.6135
OpenAlex
W4221089517
Cited by
47
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Prenatal Diagnosis (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Neonatal and Maternal Infections
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
Keywords
congenital syphilis, fetal malformations, neonatal abnormalities, hepatosplenomegaly, fetal growth restriction, middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, hydrops fetalis, bone injuries, skin lesions, maternal syphilis
MeSH terms
Female, Fetal Diseases, Fetus, Hepatomegaly, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Splenomegaly, Syphilis, Syphilis, Congenital, Ultrasonography, Prenatal

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