California

Syphilis in Infants More Than Triples in Two Years

"The increase in congenital syphilis is particularly concerning," State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said.

Syphilis among infants in California has more than tripled in two years.

From 2012 to 2014, cases of congenital syphilis, where an infected mother transfers the disease during pregnancy, shot up from 30 to 100, and the trend is continuing into 2015 according to the California Department of Public Health.

Syphilis among women in California doubled between 2012 and 2014 in California from 248 in to 594.
Most of the congenital syphilis cases center around the Central Valley - Los Angeles County region, and although health officials cannot attribute a cause to the rise, most of the infected mothers did not receive proper prenatal care.

"The increase in congenital syphilis is particularly concerning," State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said Tuesday in a statement. "Congenital syphilis occurs when syphilis is transmitted from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy. It is a needless tragedy that can be prevented with good prenatal care and timely and effective treatment."

CDPH is reaching out to local health departments to determine causes, as well as to treat infected pregnant women and those of childbearing age. They are also trying to provide more information and increase healthcare enrollment for women.

For more information go to www.cdph.ca.gov.

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