Maternal syphilis rates in the United States have more than tripled between 2016 and 2022, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. The overall rate surged from 87.2 to 280.4 per 100,000 births, reflecting a broader trend of rising syphilis cases in the general population.
The study revealed significant racial disparities in the increase of maternal syphilis cases. American Indian and Alaska Native mothers experienced the most dramatic rise, with rates skyrocketing from 159.7 to 1,410.5 cases per 100,000 births. White non-Hispanic mothers saw the second-largest increase, from 36.8 to 152.8 cases per 100,000 births.
Age disparities were also evident, with mothers younger than 20 experiencing the largest increase, from 107.3 to 418.6 cases per 100,000 births. The surge in maternal syphilis has led to a corresponding rise in congenital syphilis, with over 3,700 babies born with the illness in 2022 – the highest number in 30 years.
The CDC reports that syphilis cases in the general population have reached levels not seen since the 1950s, increasing by 17 percent in the last year and 80 percent over the past five years. This resurgence comes after the United States nearly eradicated syphilis in the 1990s.
Untreated syphilis can have severe consequences for both mothers and infants. In adults, it can cause brain, heart, and organ damage. Congenital syphilis can result in stillbirth, preterm birth, anemia, and brain and nerve damage in newborns.
The alarming increase in maternal syphilis rates, particularly among certain racial and age groups, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and improved prenatal care to address this growing public health concern.
See “Maternal syphilis rates tripled between 2016 and 2022: CDC” (February 16, 2024)
