Increase in Cases of Babies Born With Syphilis in Mississippi

Increase in Cases of Babies Born With Syphilis in Mississippi

The Growing Concern of Congenital Syphilis in the United States

The United States is facing a distressing surge in cases of congenital syphilis, with one southern state witnessing a staggering 1,000% increase in babies born with the infection between 2016 and 2022. Mississippi, in particular, saw the number of babies affected rise from 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022. Congenital syphilis occurs when an infected mother passes the disease to her unborn child, and it is crucial to raise awareness about this issue.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, a senior researcher and the dean of the School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, points out that while this trend mirrors the national situation, it is exacerbated in Mississippi due to existing health disparities in the state. The impact of congenital syphilis is not limited to specific subsets of the population; it affects all racial and socioeconomic groups, including minority populations covered by Medicaid, white individuals, and people with private insurance.

One of the significant drivers of this syphilis epidemic is the underfunding of the public health system. Over the past two decades, Mississippi’s public health workforce has suffered a severe reduction, with only one-third of the employees remaining. This problem is a national phenomenon, but it tends to be worse in states like Mississippi.

Moreover, there has been a shift in sexually transmitted disease (STD) detection from public health clinics and specialized STD clinics to private practices. Unfortunately, these private practices are often ill-equipped to address the treatment and management of intimate partners, leading to gaps in the prevention and treatment of syphilis.

In the 1990s, a comprehensive campaign successfully fought against syphilis and other STDs, almost eliminating congenital syphilis in the process. However, after achieving these remarkable results, funding for prevention and treatment was reduced, resulting in a resurgence of the disease. Elizabeth Finley, spokesperson for the National Coalition of STD Directors, emphasizes the need for sustained investment in public health initiatives to combat this problem effectively.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health funding has further strained efforts to prevent, test, and treat STIs. Resources that could have been allocated to syphilis prevention were diverted to address the pandemic, exacerbating the situation.

The consequences of congenital syphilis can be devastating, with approximately 40% of babies infected during pregnancy experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. However, a simple shot of penicillin can effectively cure both the mother and her unborn baby. Identifying and treating these at-risk mothers is of utmost importance in order to save lives.

Surviving infants born with congenital syphilis often face significant neurocognitive or physical adverse effects. Treatment for these babies is a lengthy and challenging process, involving extended hospital stays and intravenous penicillin administration. This places a considerable burden on both the infants and their families.

A study conducted in Mississippi between 2016 and 2022 analyzed data on infants diagnosed with and hospitalized for congenital syphilis. The findings revealed that the majority of affected infants were covered by Medicaid, and a significant proportion came from rural areas. While the rate of congenital syphilis among African American infants remained high, the study highlighted a substantial increase among white infants, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue.

Infants with congenital syphilis were more likely to have mothers who used illegal drugs, be born prematurely, and have low birth weight. Hospital stays for these infants were significantly longer compared to those without the disease, resulting in higher healthcare costs.

Dr. Dobbs emphasizes the importance of creating awareness and investing in public health interventions to combat syphilis effectively. Early prenatal care, insurance coverage, and an attentive clinic system equipped to diagnose and treat these dangerous infections are essential for protecting mothers and infants.

Elizabeth Finley describes the findings as devastating, but unfortunately, not unexpected. The rates of congenital syphilis have been rapidly increasing across the country, with Mississippi being particularly hard-hit. To reverse this trend, a well-funded public health campaign is necessary, targeting syphilis and other related infections across the community. This approach includes testing and providing treatment to pregnant women, as well as ensuring that their partners have access to testing and timely treatment to prevent transmission.

The report, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases on September 20, 2023, serves as a call to action. It emphasizes the need for increased investment in public health initiatives, strong awareness campaigns, and comprehensive strategies to combat congenital syphilis effectively.

For more information on syphilis, you can visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Sources: – Thomas Dobbs, MD, dean, John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson – Elizabeth Finley, spokeswoman, National Coalition of STD Directors, Durham, N.C. – Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sept. 20, 2023