Plan for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of syphilis: An opportunity to start implementing changes to the norms based on the health statutory law in the Colombian Health System

Abstract

Syphilis, a bacterial infection caused by T. pallidum , is a public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that more than 12 million people acquire the infection every year, and Latin America and the Caribbean contribute with 3 million of those cases. (1) In high-income countries, it is considered a re-emergent infection in the 21st century. (2) Syphilis is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse or from the pregnant mother to the foetus through the placenta. Gestational syphilis occurs when an infected woman becomes pregnant or a pregnant woman acquires the infection. (3) Gestational syphilis (GS) may affect the foetus in up to 80% of cases and lead to miscarriage, foetal demise, preterm delivery, low birth weight, neonatal infection, or congenital syphilis (CS), one of the main causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. (4)