EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS CASES IN BRAZIL: ANALYSIS OF CASES BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis (CS) is an infectious-contagious disease, of compulsory notification, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, considered a sentinel event of the quality of prenatal care and responsible for unfavorable outcomes such as fetal or perinatal death, prematurity, low birth weight, neurological lesions and other sequelae, as well as important direct and indirect costs in public health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis in the state of Piauí from 2019 to 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an epidemiological study with a quantitative approach, based on data obtained from the Department of Information and Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) of CS cases notified in the period from 2019 to 2023, considering the variables: year of notification, macro-regions, prenatal follow-up, and age group at diagnosis, seeking to identify epidemiological patterns and associations between the variables studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Between 2019 and 2023, the analysis of congenital syphilis in Brazil shows a high prevalence of recent cases, with regional inequalities and failures in prenatal care and in the treatment of partners. Even with 82.3% of pregnant women in prenatal care, the lack of treatment for 49.7% of the partners promotes reinfection and vertical transmission. The high rate of stillbirths and miscarriages (3.9%) highlights the impact of untreated syphilis, indicating the need to strengthen prenatal care, ensure treatment for partners, and adapt surveillance according to regional demands. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that congenital syphilis continues to be a critical public health problem in Brazil, aggravated by the low adherence to treatment of partners and regional disparities in access to health. Although most pregnant women receive prenatal care, the lack of comprehensive treatment compromises the control of vertical transmission and results in serious consequences, such as stillbirths and miscarriages. To address this challenge, it is necessary to strengthen prenatal care and include the partner in treatment, with public health policies that ensure adequate monitoring and care in all regions.