TREATMENT OF INFANTILE CONGENITAL SYPHILIS WITH PENICILLIN

Abstract

ALTHOUGH preliminary reports indicate that penicillin is of value in the treatment of early congenital syphilis, 1 the optimum total dose of penicillin and the proper time-dose relationship have not been satisfactorily established. The relative efficacy of penicillin and of arsenicals in the treatment of congenital syphilis has likewise not yet been determined. This report presents the results of treatment with penicillin in 22 cases of early congenital syphilis. The principal factors which are known to influence the treatment of this condition, such as the duration of the infection, the dosage of penicillin and the methods of administration, are also considered. CASE MATERIAL AND PROCEDURES All the children in this study were less than 17 months of age at the beginning of treatment, and none had received previous antisyphilitic therapy. Each child showed manifest syphilitic lesions of the skin and/or long bones in addition to a positive serologic reaction. The