Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 83, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 102-105

Prenatal syphilis infection is a possible cause of preterm delivery among immigrant women from eastern Europe (Article)

Tridapalli E.* , Capretti M.G. , Sambri V. , Marangoni A. , Moroni A. , D'Antuono A. , Bacchi M.L. , Faldella G.
  • a Department of Preventive Paediatrics and Neonatology, Istituto Clinico di Pediatria Preventiva e Neonatologia, Via Massarenti, 11, Bologna 40138, Italy, Department of Preventive Paediatrics and Neonatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • b Department of Preventive Paediatrics and Neonatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • c Section of Dermatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • d Section of Dermatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • e Section of Dermatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • f Section of Microbiology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • g Institute of Cardiology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • h Department of Preventive Paediatrics and Neonatology, St. Orsola Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of maternal syphilis at delivery and neonatal syphilis infection in an Italian urban area, in connection with the increased flow of immigration. Study design: A prospective surveillance study was carried out in Bologna, Italy, from November 2000 to March 2006. All pregnant women were screened for syphilis at delivery. Infants born to seropositive mothers were enrolled in a prospective follow-up. Results: During the study period 19 205 women gave birth to 19 548 infants. A total of 85 women were seropositive for syphilis at delivery. The overall syphilis seroprevalence in pregnant women was 0.44%, but it was 4.3% in women from eastern Europe and 5.8% in women from Central-South America. Ten women were first found positive at delivery, as they did not receive any prenatal care. Nine of these were from eastern Europe. All their infants were asymptomatic, but six had both reactive immunoglobulin (Ig)M western blot and rapid plasma reagin tests and were considered prenatally infected. Three of six were preterm (gestational age <37 weeks). Conclusions: In Italy, congenital syphilis infection is strictly related to immigration from eastern Europe. Although it is asymptomatic, it could cause premature delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to perform serological tests during the third trimester in mothers coming from endemic areas to adequately treat syphilis in pregnancy and prevent congenital infection. If the mother's test results are not available at delivery, it is necessary to investigate the newborn, especially if it is born prematurely.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

urban area immigrant Europe, Eastern controlled clinical trial prenatal care Maternal Age Pregnancy Complications, Infectious clinical trial Follow-Up Studies follow up Prospective Studies human Premature Birth controlled study priority journal premature labor intrauterine infection reagin test Syphilis, Congenital Syphilis Serodiagnosis Humans Adolescent female Infant pregnancy Syphilis Article major clinical study adult Emigration and Immigration Italy prenatal screening pregnant woman seroprevalence Western blotting immunoglobulin M gestational age
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34248149447&doi=10.1136%2fsti.2006.021352&partnerID=40&md5=6e42be36546be414f64702d0d363a547
DOI: 10.1136/sti.2006.021352
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 23
Original Language: English