Syphilis in the USA From ouch to ouch! Newborn cases skyrocketed by 10-fold in a decade
U.S. Sees 10-fold Increase in Syphilis Cases Among Newborns Over 10 Years
An old scourge, syphilis, is making a comeback that’s more dramatic than a soap opera plot twist. This time, it’s not just affecting adults, but also the most innocent and vulnerable beings on the planet – newborns. According to new data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of congenital syphilis have skyrocketed by a mind-boggling 10-fold between 2012 and 2022. It’s like the plot of a horror movie, except it’s happening in the real world.
Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC Chief Medical Officer, didn’t hold back when describing the situation: “The congenital syphilis crisis in the United States has skyrocketed at a heartbreaking rate.” It’s a call to action, a plea for everyone in the healthcare industry, public health systems, and communities to step up and prevent more family tragedies. We need to connect mothers and babies with the care they need before it’s too late.
Congenital syphilis occurs when the illness is passed from a mother to her newborn. It’s a silent enemy that attacks the smallest and most delicate parts of a baby’s body. If left untreated, it can unleash a world of future problems like bone and teeth deformities, paralysis or seizures, vision and hearing difficulties, and developmental delays. It’s like syphilis is playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek, only to reveal its devastating effects later on.
This isn’t just a minor issue we can brush off. In 2022 alone, over 3,700 babies across the United States were born with syphilis, a rate that’s 10 times higher than the previous decade. That’s an alarming number. The CDC has pinpointed access to prenatal care as one of the reasons for this sharp rise in cases among women of childbearing age. It’s like we’re leaving these women to navigate a treacherous obstacle course without a map.
The agency reveals a shocking truth: almost 9 out of 10 cases of newborn syphilis in 2022 could have been prevented if the mothers had received timely testing and treatment during pregnancy. It’s like we had the solution within reach, but we dropped the ball. Instead, we ended up with statistics that show more than half of the cases were among people who tested positive for syphilis during pregnancy but didn’t receive adequate or timely treatment. And nearly 40 percent were among mothers who didn’t receive prenatal care at all. It’s like we’re repeating the same mistakes over and over again, expecting different results.
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To make matters worse, race and ethnicity seem to play a significant role in determining the odds of a woman and her baby contracting syphilis. In 2021, babies born to Black, Hispanic, or American Indian/Alaska Native mothers were up to eight times more likely to have newborn syphilis than babies born to White mothers. It’s like syphilis is exploiting longstanding societal issues, taking advantage of the lack of access to timely and quality healthcare among minority populations.
Dr. Jonathan Mermin, who directs the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, calls for more outreach and the creation of “tailored” strategies to reach specific populations. It’s like we need to customize our battle plan to target those who are at the highest risk. We can’t use a one-size-fits-all approach because syphilis doesn’t discriminate, and neither should our efforts to prevent it.
So, what can we do to curb this rising storm of congenital syphilis? The CDC offers some concrete steps that can make a difference:
- Create syphilis screening programs in communities that have been hit the hardest. Think of it as setting up a checkpoint to catch the enemy before it can infiltrate further.
- Once a pregnant woman tests positive for syphilis, immediate treatment is crucial. This means reaching out beyond hospital emergency departments and delivering care through initiatives like syringe service programs, prisons/jails, and maternal and child health programs. It’s like setting up outposts to intercept the enemy’s advance.
- Collaborate with local community leaders to increase awareness of the threat posed by syphilis and break down barriers to testing and treatment, especially during pregnancy. It’s like forming alliances with influential figures who can rally their troops to join the fight.
But we cannot solely rely on these steps. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has already established the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Taskforce to tackle this crisis head-on. It’s like assembling a team of superheroes to save the day.
So, let’s join forces, raise awareness, and take action. This is not just another health crisis – it’s an unacceptable American crisis. Every pregnant mother, regardless of who she is or where she lives, deserves access to care that protects her and her baby from preventable diseases. Let’s fill the gaps in prevention and become the heroes who rise to the challenge.
Original Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, Nov. 7, 2023
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