Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis is considered a severe public health problem because it accounts for approximately 40% of the perinatal mortality rates, 25% of stillbirths, and 14% of neonatal deaths, in addition to causing severe consequences for the fetus. This study aimed to describe the rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age in Brazilian capitals from 2009 to 2016. METHODS: Ecological time series study, using rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age and living in Brazilian capitals. The Prais-Winsten regression model was used to assess the trend.RESULTS: A total of 44,056 cases of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age were reported in Brazilian capitals between 2009 and 2016. The highest rate of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age occurred in 2016 in Porto Alegre (31.07/1,000 live births). The Northeastern capitals showed high rates, particularly the capital Recife (23.67/1,000 live births). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital syphilis represents a major challenge for public policies. The need for improvements in the quality of prenatal care is highlighted, as it is essential to reduce the alarming rates.
Highlights
Congenital syphilis is considered a severe public health problem because it accounts for approximately 40% of the perinatal mortality rates, 25% of stillbirths, and 14% of neonatal deaths, in addition to causing severe consequences for the fetus
This study aimed to describe the rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age living in Brazilian capitals from 2009 to 2016
In the rest of the capitals (Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Palmas, and all those in the South and Southeast regions), the diagnosis of maternal syphilis occurred during prenatal care, with Curitiba standing out with the highest percentage (72.0%)
Summary
Congenital syphilis is considered a severe public health problem because it accounts for approximately 40% of the perinatal mortality rates, 25% of stillbirths, and 14% of neonatal deaths, in addition to causing severe consequences for the fetus. The diagnosis and treatment should be performed in a timely manner in the early period of pregnancy This implies that the quality of prenatal care is a key aspect for the diagnosis and a consequent improvement in syphilis control. This can be done with improvement in access, coverage, and quality of care at the primary level, and promotion of the right to the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test in the first prenatal care consultation, in the third trimester of pregnancy, and at the time of hospitalization for childbirth Another important point for reducing syphilis is the treatment of the partners, a procedure that prevents reinfection[4]
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