Addressing Missed Opportunities for Preventing Congenital Syphilis in New York State

Abstract

Congenital syphilis, a preventable condition, has witnessed a worrying surge in recent years, notably among specific racial and ethnic demographics. This white paper delves into the issue of missed preventive opportunities regarding congenital syphilis in New York State. It suggests a solution focusing on bolstered prenatal screening protocols and comprehensive community education initiatives. By expanding these measures, the aim is to mitigate the prevalence of congenital syphilis and its associated complications, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns across diverse populations in the state.

Introduction

Congenital syphilis is considered a serious public health problem that might lead to severe complications in newborns, such as preterm birth, bone deformity, and mental disorders. The increase in the incidence rate of congenital syphilis has been quite a contemporary and alarming phenomenon in the United States, especially in some racial and ethnic groups. In the evaluation from New York State recently, specialists identified the importance of targeting interventions at missed opportunities for preventing congenital syphilis.

Problem Statement

A recent evaluation by the New York State Department of Health revealed that the most significant missed opportunities for preventing congenital syphilis were late identification of seroconversion during pregnancy and lack of timely prenatal care and screening (Figure 1) below. Alarmingly, in a substantial number of cases, early third-trimester screening was not conducted, even when prenatal care was provided (Parenti et al., 2022, p. S23). This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address these gaps and ensure timely identification and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy.

Figure 1:Summary of Missed Prevention Opportunities among Females Delivering Infants Reported with Congenital Syphilis in NYS (excluding NYC), 2013-2020

Proposed Solution

The following solution is proposed;

1. 1. Provide universal third-trimester syphilis screening for all females in pregnancy. Thus, this foreword measure will accelerate the detection of seroconversion during pregnancy and make timely treatment possible thereby providing safe passage from mother to offspring.

1. 2. Increase the level of community education and outreach for the infamous people. This may include an awareness campaign on the danger of contracting prenatal syphilis in the mother-to-be, the need for timely prenatal visits, and the availability of free or low-cost prenatal services.

1. 3. Make healthcare professionals well-versed in screening and treatment of the disease by arranging comprehensive training and providing needed resources to them. Such interventions may include, for example, continuing education in medical care, clinical decision-making tools, simplified logs, and positive feedback.

Practicing these mitigation strategies can allow New York State to better track and treat syphilis infections among pregnant women, and decrease the incidence of congenital syphilis, thus helping to uphold health equity and racial justice in the needs of sexual and reproductive health.

Conclusion

Congenital syphilis emerges as an avoidable condition, though the ubiquitous cases in New York State might be a signal of urgent actions to implement. The State may achieve this goal through universal third-trimester screenings, community education, and proper provider training which will have a great impact on congenital syphilis prevention, and the health outcomes of newborns and families.