Soroepidemiologia da sífilis em gestantes e seus recém-nascidos

Abstract

Syphilis is a systemic infectious-contagious disease caused by Treponema pallidium, a parasite that is exclusive to humans and whose transmission is essentially carried out through sexual contact. The incidence of congenital syphilis has reached truly epidemic proportions, although measures that could control this disease are known. The investigation described pregnant women with syphilis hospitalised at the FSCMPA during the period of January 2001 to June 2003, as to socio-demographic characteristics, behaviour for promoting sexual and reproductive health and serological and clinical data related to syphilis in the mother-newborn relationship. The study is of a crosscutting, analytical and descriptive nature, with 245 pregnant women. Medical records of these patients were reviewed, with positive serology for syphilis and the newbom, tested by the VDRL method. The incidence of syphilis in pregnant women was 1.73% of the total of patients hospitalised in the last two and a half years. The epidemiological profile demonstrated that the main risk factors for acquiring syphilis during pregnancy were: absence of prenatal accompaniment and treatment, including for the sexual partner. According to postpartum maternal seropositivity, it was found that the possibility of a newborn having syphilis, if VDRL positive, was 98.68%. Jaundice and low weight were the most common clinical signs of syphilis, and prematurity was also a clinical sign observed. These analyses reveal the need for educational campaigns of a broader scope related to risk factors for acquiring this infirmity and better care for pregnant women during the prenatal period, with accompaniment and diagnostic control for the pregnant women.