Key messages
- Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI).
- Congenital syphilis occurs when infection passes from a pregnant person to their baby during the pregnancy or at the time of birth.
- Congenital syphilis can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. It can also cause other serious health problems in babies including organ, brain or nerve damage.
- This condition can be prevented by having protected sex with a condom. If pregnant, appropriate testing and treatment of syphilis is vital to prevent congenital syphilis.
- All pregnant people should be tested for syphilis at least three times during pregnancy: at the first antenatal visit, at 26-28 weeks and at 36 weeks (or at birth).
- Syphilis in pregnancy requires prompt treatment and follow up to prevent serious adverse consequences in the baby.
- Anyone diagnosed with syphilis should encourage all their sexual partners (both casual and regular) from the last few months to be checked by a doctor.
- Syphilis is treated with penicillin. It is important to have repeat blood tests to check that the treatment has worked.
What is the issue
Congenital syphilis occurs when infection passes from a pregnant person to their baby during pregnancy or at the time of birth. This is a serious public health problem that has re-emerged in Victoria.
Syphilis occurring in pregnancy requires prompt treatment and follow up to prevent serious adverse consequences in the baby.
What are the symptoms
Not all people with syphilis have symptoms. If symptoms are mild, they may go unnoticed so not everyone with syphilis seeks medical advice. Untreated syphilis may lead to severe health problems affecting many parts of the body and women can pass on the infection to their babies either before or during birth.
Congenital syphilis may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight or neonatal death. A baby with congenital syphilis may not have any symptoms at birth, but without treatment, may develop serious problems. They can also develop symptoms later and can die from the infection.
Who is at risk
Any baby whose PARENT has syphilis during pregnancy or birth is at risk of congenital syphilis. This is why all pregnant people should be tested at least three times during pregnancy: at the first antenatal visit), at 26-28 weeks and at 36 weeks (or at birth).
How is it transmitted?
Syphilis is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who has recently become infected. It can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact if the syphilis rash is present.
Congenital syphilis occurs when infection passes from a pregnant person to their baby during the pregnancy or at the time of birth.
How can it be prevented?
The most important preventive measure against syphilis and congenital syphilis is having protected sex with a condom. Being tested and adequately treated for syphilis in pregnancy can prevent congenital syphilis.
Is there a treatment?
Early treatment of syphilis with penicillin is effective. Babies who have congenital syphilis need to be treated right away or they can develop serious health problems. It’s also important that anyone treated for syphilis and babies treated for congenital syphilis get follow-up care to make sure that the treatment worked.
More information
Information for health professionals
- Chief Health Officer Advisory - Congenital Syphilis in Victoria
- Congenital syphilis – information for health professionals
- Syphilis disease information and advice
- Notification of syphilis
- Syphilis in neonates
- Syphilis decision making tool
Information for consumers
Updated