Congenital Infections

Question 1

What are the physical manifestations of congenital syphilis?

Answer 1

Generalized LAD, nonimmune hydrops fetalis, jaundice, HSM, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, pneumonitis, nephrotic syndrome, hemorrhage rhinitis (“snuffles”), pseudoparalysis of an extremity secondary to osteochondritis and/or periostitis, skin rash, musouc patches, condylomata lata, uveitis/chorioretinitis

Question 2

True or False? If an infant with Category 1 syphilis misses a day and a half of PCN, just pick up where you left off and complete the course of therapy.

Answer 2

Serum VDRL/RPR values >4-fold the maternal titer

False, must restart therapy at day one.

Question 3

What are some of the clinical presentations of neonatal sepsis?

Answer 3

Low Apgar scores, temperature instability, respiratory distress, lethargy, or irritability, poor feeding, tachycardia

Poor perfusion and hypotension are late findings

Question 4

What are the most common causes of neonatal sepsis?

Answer 4

GBS, E.coli, Listeria

Question 5

How do you treat suspected neonatal sepsis?

Answer 5

Empirical treatment: ampicillin and gentamicin