Experience of Paediatric Venereology Out-patient Clinic of The University Hospital in Brno in Congenital Syphilis

Overview

The authors present the group of children patients with positive antibodies against T. pallidum. In the years 1994–2004 in the newly established venereology out-patient clinic of The Paediatric Dermatology Department of the University Hospital in Brno ninety seven children were examined, from whom twenty one were examined as at-risk persons (twenty children were negative). Other seventy six children (newborns and infants) had positive serologic reactions.

In sixty four patients the passive transfer of maternal antibodies was proven. The follow-up was ended after complete negativity of serologic reactions and the minimal age of one year.

Thirteen children were treated for the diagnosis of syphilis congenita recens (none of their mothers were appropriately followed during pregnancy), four from these treated patients still have IgG positivity and therefore it is not possible to close their dispensarization. Clinical picture in our patient group is poor. Obligatory serologic screening in every newborn is inevitable, the most sensitive method combines one treponemal and one nontreponemal test: TPHA + RRR.

Key words:
congenital syphilis – clinical picture – serologic reaction – maternal antibodies