ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is reporting a 40-year high in cases of congenital syphilis.
Officials said there were 29 cases of newborn syphilis reported in 2023, including three stillbirths. "This represents the highest case number in at least 40 years," according to the MDH news release.
Congenital syphilis is when a pregnant woman passes her syphilis infection to her fetus during pregnancy.
Untreated syphilis in pregnant people can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature birth, brain/nerve problems (including blindness and deafness), and other lifelong health problems.
"The increase in congenital syphilis is especially troubling because it can be prevented through early detection and treatment. As recently as 2013 and 2014, there were no cases of congenital syphilis in Minnesota," according to the MDH news release.
The spike in newborn syphilis cases follows a 2019 outbreak of syphilis in the Duluth area and outbreaks across the country.
MDH is updating its guidelines for health providers, recommending women to be screened at least three times during pregnancy.
"Obstetrician-gynecologists will continue to be committed to ensuring that patients are screened for congenital syphilis so that they have the opportunity to be appropriately treated," said Dr. Elizabeth Slagle, chair of the Minnesota Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), in the news release. "We support the updated MDH recommendations, which are in response to the increase in syphilis."
Health officials are also recommending that health providers consider syphilis screening for all sexually active people.
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