Congenital Syphilis: Early‐ and Late‐Stage Findings of Rhagades and Dental Anomalies

Abstract

Congenital syphilis occurs via vertical transmission when Treponema pallidum crosses the placenta after the 16th week of gestation. Manifestations of congenital syphilis vary from asymptomatic infection to stillbirth. We present a case of congenital syphilis in a Vietnamese orphan who presented with rhagades, hearing deficit, and abnormal dentition after adoption in the United States. He demonstrated both early- and late-stage findings of congenital syphilis. He is presumed to be 5 years old, and it is uncertain if he received treatment. Upon arrival to the United States, his rapid plasma reagin test was negative, but his fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test was positive, so no further treatment was recommended. It is possible that other late congenital syphilis stigmata may develop in his later years. The Centers for Disease Control recommends screening all pregnant women for syphilis at the beginning of prenatal care. Clinicians should be made aware of the manifestations of congenital syphilis, especially when caring for international orphans and children born to mothers who lacked prenatal care.