Management of syphilis in pregnancy: What is the role of general practice?
Syphilis in pregnancy and resultant congenital syphilis are increasing in Australia, including among novel population groups.1 General practitioners (GPs) are the first point of care for most of the affected women. Awareness of updated guidelines for the detection and management of syphilis in pregnancy and referral points is essential (Box 1).
| Box 1. Key updates for management of syphilis in pregnancy |
Antenatal screening
- Thorough history-taking to identify risk factors for acquisition of syphilis5–8
- Repeat testing of at-risk mothers, with up to five tests during pregnancy: first trimester (routine), 5–9 20 weeks,5 28–32 weeks, 5–9 34–36 weeks5–8 and delivery5–9
Maternal management of syphilis in pregnancy
- Discuss with expert practitioner/specialist in syphilis in pregnancy9
- Treat mother with stage-appropriate penicillin regimen
- Early syphilis (<2 years’ duration including primary, secondary or early latent) – single dose of long-acting 2.4 million units (1.8 g) benzathine benzylpenicillin G IM,5–9 and second dose one week later if diagnosed in the third trimester8
- Late latent syphilis/syphilis of unknown duration – three doses of long-acting 2.4 million units (1.8 g) benzathine benzylpenicillin G IM seven days apart1-4
- Contact tracing and treatment of partners5–9
- Monthly RPR monitoring following treatment5–8
- Counsel and test for other sexually transmissible infections8
Evaluation at birth
- Mother and infant paired RPR serology5–8
- Infant IgM testing5,6
- Placental histopathology and PCR5–7
- Thorough clinical examination of infant5–8
- Additional infant investigations as indicated5–8 (eg FBE/ELFT, long bone radiographs and CSF/bodily fluid testing)
- Assessment of maternal therapy
- Adequate maternal therapy if treatment with penicillin antibiotic is completed four weeks prior to delivery with a four-fold drop in RPR and no evidence of reinfection
- Consider additional infant investigations or treatment if maternal therapy is inadequate5–8
Infant management at birth
- If infant assessment suggests congenital syphilis or if maternal therapy is inadequate, treat infant with 10 days of IV benzylpenicillin5–8 (dosing regimen may vary between jurisdictions)
- Infant follow-up examination5,7 and serology at three months,5,7,8 six months5,7,8 and 12 months5,8 of age until non-reactive
|
| CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; ELFT, electrolytes and liver function tests; FBE, full blood examination; IgM, immunoglobulin M; IM, intramuscular; IV, intravenous; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RPR, rapid plasma reagin |
Despite congenital syphilis being preventable with appropriate maternal treatment, 20 cases were notified nationally between 2011 and 2015, rising to 43 between 2016 and 2020.2 In 2001–19, there were 33 congenital syphilis notifications in Queensland (eight in urban South East Queensland) and 12 related perinatal deaths.3 In 2020, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia each had four congenital syphilis notifications; Victoria had three, and Queensland and South Australia each had two.2
Mother-to-child transmission of syphilis in pregnancy can cause preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and congenital syphilis (with sequelae in childhood if untreated).4 There is a high likelihood of mother-to-child transmission, especially with recent maternal infection, where the vertical transmission rate approaches 90%.4 Emphasis should be on prevention of vertical transmission with early and possibly recurrent maternal testing in pregnancy,5 effective maternal treatment and prevention of re-infection (including partner treatment)5 and identification and management of at-risk infants.4
Women at increased risk of acquiring syphilis in pregnancy include those: who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (woman or partner); experiencing an adolescent pregnancy; with a sexually transmitted infection in the current pregnancy or past 12 months; with ongoing sexual links to high-prevalence countries (woman or partner); who have sexual contact with an infectious syphilis case; with a sexual partner who has sex with other men; with late, limited or no antenatal care; who engage in high-risk sexual activity and substance use (particularly methamphetamines).5,9
Clinicians across multiple disciplines are involved in the care of pregnant women with syphilis and infants who are at risk,1 which adds to the complexity of management. GPs are ideally placed to identify women and coordinate care, but expectations of their role should be clear. Since 2018, many Australian jurisdictions have updated or produced new guidelines for the management of syphilis in pregnancy (Box 1). Concerted efforts must be made to increase clinician awareness of guidelines and updates and the increasing incidence of syphilis in pregnancy.
Mandy Wu BSc, MBBS, DCH, FRACP
General Paediatrician, Brisbane, Qld;
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld
Judith A Dean RN/RM, BN, MPHTM, PhD
Senior Research Fellow,
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld
Mandy Seel BMBS, MPH, FRACGP, FACRRM, FAFPHM, AFACHSM
Public Health Physician,
Metro North Public Health Unit, Brisbane, Qld
Sumudu Britton BSc, MBBS (Hons), FRACP, PhD
Infectious Diseases Specialist,
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Qld;
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld
Clare Nourse MB Bch, BAO, DCH, MRCPI, FRACP, MD
Paediatric Infection Specialist,
Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Qld;
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld