Syphilis and Pregnancy Flashcards
What is the causative organism of syphilis?
Treponema Pallidum
How is syphilis transmitted?
Direct contact with skin lesion (usually sexual contact)
How is syphilis treated?
With a course of antibiotics
What abnormalities can syphilis cause?
Neurogenic
Cardiac
Skeletal
Skin
How can syphilis be acquired more than once?
A past infection of syphilis doesn’t produce antibodies
How does pregnancy affect the disease course of syphilis?
It doesn’t
Who should be offered prompt treatment for syphilis?
Women who:
develop syphilis while pregnant
Become pregnant while infected with syphilis
What fetal complications can a syphilis infection increase the risk of?
Miscarriage Stillbirth Hydrops fetalis Growth restriction Congenital infection
How can syphilis be transmitted to a baby?
Trans-placentally
Via exposure to an affected lesion at the time of birth
What treatment would you give a woman who is found to have syphilis?
Intramuscular penicillin
How does congenital syphilis present at birth?
Asymptomatically
When do symptoms of syphilis usually present?
Within 5 weeks
What is the commonly found group of symptoms in a neonate called?
Hutchinson’s triad
What does Hutchinson’s triad consist of?
Deafness
Interstitial keratosis
Hutchinson’s teeth-widely spaced, peg-like
How does primary syphilis present?
With a painless ulcer called a chancre
