New York’s Staten Island According to recently released 2023 data from the municipal Health Department, there has been an increase in the number of recorded cases of congenital syphilis (CS), which is when a person contracts syphilis while pregnant and passes it on to their unborn child.
A breakdown of congenital syphilis (CS) cases recorded in New York City over the past few years is displayed in the graph. (Source: New York City Health Department.)Health Department of New York City
According to research, New York City experienced a sharp rise in CS in 2023, with 35 instances, a 66.7% increase over the 21 cases in 2022. Although there were few occurrences before 2018, the report notes that the number of cases rose by 75% between 2018 and 2023.
The Bronx and Manhattan had the highest rates of syphilis cases (primary, secondary, and early latent), whereas Staten Island has the lowest rates. However, the data does not separate CS case rates by borough. In addition, the report notes that there were fewer primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis cases in 2023 than in 2022.
NYC borough-by-borough reported rates of primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis cases per 100,000 people, 2018–2023. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York City (NYC DOHMH)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CS may cause low birth weight, early birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or death soon after birth. Deformed bones, severe anemia, an enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, brain and nerve issues like blindness or hearing, meningitis, and skin rashes are all possible symptoms of congenital cerebral syndrome. Untreated cases can result in major health problems that usually manifest within the first few weeks but can even manifest years later, even though some people may not exhibit any signs at birth.
The city study emphasized the need for increased attention and funding to be allocated to syphilis prevention, treatment, and testing in pregnant women.
The CDC stated that over 3,700 newborns in the US were born with syphilis in 2022, more than ten times the number recorded in 2012. This city’s data reflects a national trend.
In 2022, the CDC received reports of 3,761 cases of congenital syphilis, which included 51 (1%) fatalities and 231 (6%) stillbirths.
According to CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, M.D., the congenital syphilis pandemic in the US has worsened at an alarming rate. To stop more family tragedies, new measures are required. We’re urging communities, public health systems, and healthcare professionals to do more to help women and babies get the care they require.
Syphilis cases fell overall in 2023: Why did congenital syphilis (CS) rates rise?
According to the CDC, syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that goes through stages and can cause serious health problems if left untreated.
In the initial stage, it usually starts as a painless sore on the mouth, genitalia, or rectum. After the sore heals, a rash appears in the secondary stage. Symptoms disappear during the latent period, but in rare instances, the illness advances to the tertiary stage years later, where it may cause organ damage and even death. Furthermore, if left untreated, syphilis can spread to the brain and neurological system (neurosyphilis), eyes (ocular syphilis), or ears (otosyphilis) at any point during the course of the illness.
Men accounted for 88% and 89% of reported primary and secondary syphilis cases, respectively, as city data showed that reported cases decreased for all genders from 2,300 in 2022 to 1,753 in 2023. Higher transmission and testing among gay, bisexual, and other males who have sex with men is probably the cause of the higher incidence among men.
Early cases of latent syphilis, however, displayed a different pattern. The number of reported cases among women climbed from 378 in 2022 to 393 in 2023, while the number of reported cases across the city decreased from 4,481 in 2022 to 3,536 in 2023, with men making up 90% of cases in 2022 and 87% in 2023.
In 2023, there were 3,504 recorded instances of late syphilis or cases of uncertain duration for all genders, up from 3,293 in 2022.
The data shows an increase in early latent syphilis cases among women in 2023, along with an increase in cases of late syphilis or cases of undetermined duration, reflecting the rise in reported cases of CS, or people passing syphilis to their babies during pregnancy. As seen by the rise in late syphilis cases, delayed diagnosis plays a role in this trend.
Other variables, including as an increase in syphilis infections among women of reproductive age, social and economic issues that impede access to high-quality prenatal care, and continuous reductions in preventative infrastructure and resources, are also involved, according to the CDC.
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