WIP 86 - Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis in Rhode Island: A Retrospective Review of Incidence and Birthing Parent Risk Factors

Publication Number: WIP 86.7707

Kirsten d'Hemecourt, Hasbro Children's Hospital at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Victoria Angenent-Mari, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Emily M. Santos, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Erica J. Hardy, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States

Background: A dramatic increase in syphilis infection among women of reproductive age has been mirrored by a rise in cases of congenital syphilis (CS). Infection in pregnancy can have a profound impact on obstetric and neonatal health. Timely and appropriate screening during pregnancy is imperative. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend that screening be performed at the initial prenatal visit. Repeat screening is recommended at 28 weeks gestation and delivery for pregnant people categorized as being at high risk for syphilis acquisition. Data suggest that a substantial proportion of people with pregnancies affected by congenital syphilis do not report any high-risk behaviors. More investigation was undertaken to establish detailed risks in the birthing parent associated with congenital syphilis.

Objective: Identify trends in pregnancy-related and congenital syphilis infections in RI between 2011 and 2023 and to characterize the presence of risk factors related to syphilis acquisition to better inform screening practices

Design/Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of neonate and birthing parent pairs evaluated for syphilis in pregnancy and/or CS between January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2023. This project has been granted IRB approval. Records were identified through EMR queries for ICD-10 codes related to syphilis in pregnancy and for newborns with laboratory testing for syphilis. The corresponding birthing parent or neonatal records were linked for review. All data has been collected and analysis is started. The rate of established risk factors for syphilis acquisition will be calculated. Then a comparison of the presence of these birthing parent risk factors was made between neonates categorized as being higher risk for CS (proven/highly probable/possible) and those categorized as lower risk for CS (less likely/unlikely). We’ll use descriptive statistics and simple logistic regression will be utilized to present our findings.