Congenital syphilis: Information for women and their partners

Congenital syphilis occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy or at birth.

Congenital syphilis has re-emerged in Victoria since 2017. Left untreated, congenital syphilis can lead to premature delivery, long term neurological problems, bone deformities, deafness and fetal death (stillbirth). This factsheet contains important information about congenital syphilis for women and their partners.