New FIGO Guidelines: Your Essential Guide to Tackling the Growing Syphilis Risk During Pregnancy

The FIGO Committee on Infections During Pregnancy has issued new guidelines to combat the rising threat of syphilis during pregnancy. Syphilis can cause stillbirth, neonatal death, and serious health issues for babies. Despite efforts by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate congenital syphilis since 2007, infections among pregnant women are increasing in many areas, including the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

The new guidelines stress the importance of early screening for syphilis, ideally during the first prenatal visit. Follow-up tests are recommended later in the pregnancy and at delivery, especially in countries that have not met WHO targets. Early treatment with benzathine penicillin is highlighted as the safest and most effective way to prevent the disease from passing to the baby.

Dr. Isabelle Boucoiran, an expert on prenatal care, emphasizes, “The guidelines advocate for universal early screening and stronger health systems to ensure access to timely prenatal care.” This proactive approach can help eliminate congenital syphilis globally.

The guidelines also push for better screening and treatment for sexual partners. This is crucial to prevent reinfection and reduce community spread. They recognize challenges such as shortages of benzathine penicillin and the need for training healthcare workers in early detection and management of syphilis.

In recent years, the global rise in syphilis rates has been alarming. According to the CDC, the number of reported syphilis cases in the United States tripled from 2013 to 2019. More than 1,700 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in 2019, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

FIGO encourages countries to treat this public health challenge seriously. By combining universal screening with timely treatment and bolstering healthcare systems, we could significantly reduce the rates of congenital syphilis.

For those interested in further details, you can read the full guidelines in the International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics here.

Source link