Syphilis testing recommendation for pregnant women [Video]

ATLANTA — A syphilis surge is leading to changes in care for pregnant moms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis cases among pregnant moms more than tripled in recent years.

In 2016, around 87 cases were reported per 100,000 births, but that number jumped to 280 by 2022. 

The numbers are even more staggering for newborns. Across the country, congenital syphilis cases spiked 755% from 2012 to 2021, according to the CDC data.

11Alive Medical Expert Dr. Sujatha Reddy said  the infection can be deadly for children.

“It can lead to preterm delivery, early in pregnancy miscarriage. If a baby is born with syphilis we will sometimes see blindness, blood problems. You can see bone disorders. So a lot of things can happen to a child,” said Reddy.

The previous guidance was to test only high-risk women once during pregnancy.

Reddy said testing pregnant moms in Georgia is already done several …