Complications of syphilis in pregnancy

Syphilis can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby. Possible consequences include pregnancy loss, premature birth, poor growth, illness at birth or problems affecting the baby’s bones, hearing, vision or nervous system. The pregnant person may have few symptoms, so feeling well does not rule out infection.

An infection can be newly acquired or persist from an earlier exposure. Test results and the stage of infection guide treatment. Sexual partners may also need testing and treatment so infection is not passed back and forth.

Contact an antenatal or sexual-health clinician promptly and attend recommended STI Screening. Do not delay because symptoms are mild or absent. Take the prescribed Antibiotic Treatment exactly as directed and tell the team about any allergy, previous treatment or other medicines.

Keep follow-up appointments so blood tests and the baby’s wellbeing can be reviewed. Avoid sexual contact until the clinical team explains when it is safe, and discuss partner notification confidentially. Do not self-treat with leftover antibiotics.

Seek urgent maternity care for vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fluid leakage, regular painful contractions, reduced fetal movement, fever or feeling acutely unwell. These symptoms have several possible causes and need assessment during pregnancy.

After treatment, seek help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, fainting or a rapidly spreading rash. Tell the maternity team about any new genital sore, rash on the palms or soles, visual change, severe headache or confusion, even if the symptoms seem unrelated.

Ask which stage of infection the results suggest, what treatment is recommended during pregnancy, whether your partner needs testing, how follow-up will be arranged, and what monitoring the baby needs. Ask whom to contact if a dose is missed or an allergy develops.