Abstract
In the UK, diagnosis of syphilis among women of child-bearing age has more than doubled between 1999 and 2007, and each year, around ten cases of congenital syphilis have been reported. Doctors should, therefore, be aware of the potential presentation of congenital syphilis, a deadly disease yet curable when managed correctly. We present a rare case of a premature neonate of 29 weeks displaying manifold clinical signs of congenital syphilis acutely after delivery, including coagulopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, intraventricular ischaemic lesions and metaphyseal bone changes, not previously described in the literature at this age in the UK.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Filippi L, Serafini L, Dani C et al (2004) Congenital syphilis: unique clinical presentation in three preterm newborns. J Perinat Med 32(1):90–94
Finelli L, Berman SM, Koumans EH et al (1998) Congenital syphilis. Bull World Health Organ 76(Suppl 2):126–128
Health Protection Agency. Serological Diagnosis of Syphilis (2007) National Standard Method VSOP44 Issue 1. http://www.hpastandardmethods.org.uk/documents/vsop/pdf/vsop44.pdf (accessed 28th September 2010)
Ilagan NB, Weyhing B, Liang KC et al (1993) Congenital syphilitic skeletal manifestations in a premature infant revisited. Clin Pediatr 32(5):312–313
Liu CC, So WC, Lin CH et al (1993) Congenital syphilis: clinical manifestations in premature infants. Scand J Infect Dis 25(6):741–745
Simms I, Ward H (2006) Congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom. Are we prepared? Sex Transm Infect 82(1):1
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Greenall, J., Kumar, N. & Abdelmagid, E. Early congenital syphilis in a premature baby. Eur J Pediatr 170, 667–669 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1353-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1353-x