Microbiology & Immunology Clinical care Infectious Disease Point of care testing Training and education Screening and monitoring

Protecting Newborns from Congenital Syphilis

We need to remove the STI stigma and make better use of early diagnostics to eradicate this preventable disease, says Lily Li

07/10/2026 Interview 4 min read

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Objective:

To discuss the rising rates of congenital syphilis in the US and the need for improved testing strategies to protect mothers and infants.

Approach:

Current Situation: Congenital syphilis cases have increased steadily, with nearly 4,000 reported in 2024, highlighting the preventability of the disease.

Key Findings:

Congenital syphilis cases have risen significantly, with a peak of nearly 4,000 cases in 2024.
40% of mothers of congenital syphilis cases received no prenatal care.
50% of mothers who were tested experienced delays or inadequate treatment.

Interpretation:

The rising rates of congenital syphilis indicate a public health crisis that requires immediate attention and action.

Limitations:

The article does not provide specific data on the effectiveness of proposed strategies.
No detailed analysis of socioeconomic factors affecting prenatal care access is included.

Conclusion:

Addressing congenital syphilis requires awareness and improved testing.