Congenital Syphilis

Congenial syphilis (CS) occurs when syphilis is passed to babies during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis can cause:

• Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
• Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
• Prematurity (a baby born early)
• Low birth weight
• Death shortly after birth

Babies born with CS can have the following:

• Deformed bones
• Severe anemia (low hemoglobin blood count, which results in reduced oxygen to organs)
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Brain and nerve problems, like blindness or deafness
• Meningitis (inflammation of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord)
• Skin rashes

Many babies born with CS do not show any signs of illness, however if not treated for syphilis, serious health problems such as seizures or death may occur within the first few weeks of birth and other issues, including developmental problems, may not show up until years later.¹

Congenital Syphilis Fact Sheet: https://nvose.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Congenital-Syphilis-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Prevent Congenital Syphilis

Congenital syphilis is preventable. Nevada CS cases increased from four (4) cases in 2009 to 80 cases in 2023.² Take action and prevent congenital syphilis.

• Regularly test for syphilis during pregnancy, starting at the first prenatal care visit, 3^rd trimester, and again at delivery. This is best practice and is in alignment with recommendations from the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists.³
• Treat syphilis among pregnant persons with Bicillin or Lentocilin
  • CDC Treatment Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/syphilis.htm
  • OSE Technical Bulletin on Bicillin Shortage: https://nvose.org/continued-bicillin-l-a-shortage-lentocilin-and-syphilis-treatment/

Reporting

For information on how to report a disease click here. For any questions, please contact the appropriate health authority by phone or review the website for additional information.

Carson City, Douglas and Lyon Counties
Carson City Health & Human Services (CCHHS)
(775) 887-2190
Website

Clark County
Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD)
(702) 759-1300
Website

Washoe County
Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)
(775) 328-2447
Website

All Other Counties
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
(775) 400-0333
Website

Resources

• ¹ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Congenital Syphilis. https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/about-congenital-syphilis.html
• ² Nevada Health Authority. Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Nevada Dashboard. https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMzI3NDBkZDItNWM0NC00YWUxLWEzYjAtYjE1Mzk3MzE0ZDU0IiwidCI6ImU0YTM0MGU2LWI4OWUtNGU2OC04ZWFhLTE1NDRkMjcwMzk4MCJ9
• ³ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Screening for Syphilis in Pregnancy. Accessed https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2024/04/screening-for-syphilis-in-pregnancy