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A retrospective analysis in JAMA Network Open examined trends in maternal syphilis infections in Mississippi from 2013–2023 and found that during the 10-year period, infections increased from 86 cases per 100,000 births to 1,016 cases per 100,000 births. The overall rise was 1,088%. Among the 1,421 pregnant women with syphilis included in the study, gaps in prenatal care were common: 34% lacked first-trimester care and 4.5% received no prenatal care. Analysis showed a sustained average annual increase of 27.5% (P<.001), signaling a clear public health crisis.
Concerning upward trend: Congenital syphilis has been on the increase for 12 years in a row in the United States, with nearly 4,000 reported cases in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maternal syphilis infections cause death for as many as 40% of infected infants and can lead to blindness, hearing loss, joint pain, bone problems, scarring, and other health issues. Early testing and treatment are key to preventing further spread of infection.