Congenital syphilis 1
The BPSU survey of congenital syphilis began in July 1993. It aimed to undertake surveillance for congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. At the time of the survey, the only surveillance of congenital syphilis was through the genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, and it was unclear whether all affected children might be attending such facilities.
Lead investigator
T Lissauer
About the study
The BPSU survey of congenital syphilis began in July 1993. It aimed to undertake surveillance for congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. At the time of the survey, the only surveillance of congenital syphilis was through the genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, and it was unclear whether all affected children might be attending such facilities.
The survey has had an impact on public health since it began, as suggestions had been made that antenatal serological screening for syphilis should cease. It was thought that almost all women who received antenatal care in the United Kingdom were screened for evidence of syphilis and other treponemal infections, such as yaws and pinta, which are serologically indistinguishable. Although national data suggested that infectious syphilis in women was uncommon in the United Kingdom, but it still occurred. Totals of new cases in women between the ages of 15 and 59 attending GUM clinics in England during 1991, 1992,1993 and 1994 were 110, 110, 108 and 110, respectively.
Moreover, the levels of infection at the time may not have remained low indefinitely. In the United States, a substantial epidemic of adult syphilis and failure to provide universal antenatal care (including serologic screening) resulted in a substantial epidemic of congenital syphilis. There was a resurgence of adult syphilis in the former USSR and adjoining parts of Eastern Europe.
This study aimed to:
- To determine the minimum incidence of congenital syphilis in children, detect possible maternal and other risk factors, and look for trends while the study continued.
Duration
July 1993 – July 1996
Published papers
BPSU Tenth Annual Report 1995 – 1996
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