Congenital syphilis: analysis of errors in the management of pregnant women with syphilis in obstetrician-gynecologist practice

Abstract

Background. Providing medical care to a pregnant woman newly diagnosed with syphilis is an interdisciplinary process. The pregnancy outcome and the risk of delivering a child with congenital syphilis depend on clear, coordinated actions between dermatovenereologists and obstetrician-gynecologists. Every case of congenital syphilis represents a critical healthcare incident requiring immediate response, expert case review, identification of deficiencies in medical care at all stages of pregnancy management, and urgent implementation of corrective measures to address the underlying causes.
Results. This article presents a clinical case of late detection (at 38 weeks of gestation) of an infectious form of syphilis in a pregnant woman during obstetric-gynecological care. It examines the errors made by obstetrician-gynecologists that led to the development of congenital syphilis.
Conclusion. Active organizational and methodological efforts targeting obstetrician-gynecologists are essential. These should include establishing regular ongoing seminars on early and proactive detection of syphilis and other STIs, systematic review of all cases involving delayed diagnosis or late initiation of syphilis treatment in pregnant women, and development of up-to-date regulatory guidelines for interdisciplinary collaboration between obstetrician-gynecologists and dermatovenereologists aimed at early syphilis detection in pregnancy and prevention of congenital syphilis.