Gestational syphilis at different health care levels: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, malformations, and neonatal death. When diagnosed and treated in the first months of pregnancy, the neonatal risks are considerably reduced. This work aims to discuss the key points regarding prevention and effective treatment of gestational syphilis at different health care levels. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. A survey was carried out about syphilis notifications recorded at a hospital in Porto Alegre, RS, from January to June 2021, considering the variables date of diagnosis and notification and laboratory, treatment, and prenatal care data collected in hospital records and the e-SUS system. Results: In the study period, 17 cases of gestational syphilis and 102 cases in newborns were notified. We selected the case of a patient with a history of two pregnancies without prenatal care and use of psychoactive substances. This case illustrates the patient’s itinerary in Primary Care, in specialized services such as the Center for Psychosocial Care and High-Risk Prenatal Care, and hospital care, showing the availability of care and, at the same time, the fragmentation of services. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary actions are needed at different health care levels to ensure access to testing for pregnant women and their partners, family planning, and adequate syphilis treatment, which interrupts the disease transmission chain and avoids possible complications of neonatal syphilis.