Syphilis – The Checkup

Provider Alert! Syphilis testing laws updated effective 9/1/2019

Texas law now mandates three syphilis tests for all pregnant women: at the first prenatal exam, during the third trimester (no earlier than 28 weeks gestation), and at delivery. This new testing is required because congenital syphilis cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) more than doubled last year. There were 367 cases of congenital syphilis in Texas in 2018, up from 164 in 2017. The increase in reported cases is likely due to a combination...

Breaking Reminder: Syphilis Screening Urged for All Pregnant Women

The number of congenital syphilis cases is rising at an alarming rate. From 2012-2016 the rate of congenital syphilis increased by 87% (from 8.4 to 15.7 cases per 100,000 live births).1 According to historical data, up to 40% of pregnancies with untreated syphilis will result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. And those infants who live are at risk for skeletal abnormalities; hepatosplenomegaly; jaundice; anemia; and other complications which can cause developmental delays and seizures.2 Given that congenital syphilis is...

Tag - Syphilis