Congenital syphilis (CS) is a syphilis infection in a baby. It is spread from an infected pregnant person during pregnancy or delivery. If the baby is infected, this can cause miscarriage or serious illness in the baby. Learn more about sexually transmitted syphilis. ​

​

What are the symptoms of congenital syphilis in a baby?

CS can have major health impacts on your baby. The baby’s health depends on how long you had syphilis before getting treated. CS can cause:​

• Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)

• Stillbirth (a baby born dead)

• Prematurity (a baby born early)

• Low birth weight

• Death of baby shortly after birth 

If congenital syphilis is not treated

It is possible that a baby with CS won’t have any symptoms at birth. But health problems can develop in the first few weeks after birth or years later. Without treatment, the baby may develop serious problems including:

• Brain and nerve problems, like blindness or deafness

• Meningitis (infection around the brain)

• Deformed bones and bone infections

• Severe anemia (low blood count)

• Enlarged liver and spleen

• Yellow skin or eyes

• Skin rashes

• Development delays

• Seizures​
  
  

How do I avoid spreading congenital syphilis to my baby?

It is possible for you to get syphilis and not know it. Sometimes, the infection causes no symptoms or only very mild symptoms. Even you had it before, you can get it again. Learn more about sexually transmitted syphilis.

Get tested

Even if you have been tested for syphilis in the past, you should get tested again when you become pregnant. Having syphilis once does not protect you from getting it again. It is also important that your sex partner(s) get treated. Talk with your health provider about how often you should get tested.

If you have sex while pregnant, do the following to lower your chances of getting syphilis.

• Have sex only with a partner(s) who test negative for syphilis.

• Use condoms. Condoms prevent contact with a sore. Sometimes sores occur in areas not covered by a condom. Contact with these sores can still spread syphilis.

• Have an honest conversation with your health care provider. Tell them about your sexual history and STI testing. They can give you the best advice on testing and treatment.
  
  

Is your baby at high risk?

The baby’s health depends on:

• How long the pregnant person had syphilis

• When the pregnant person got treatment

Your baby will not get CS if you do not have syphilis. There are important things you can do to protect your baby:

• Get a syphilis test at least three times in your pregnancy:
  

1. As soon as you know you are pregnant (ideally at first prenatal appointment in your first trimester)

2. Early in the third trimester of your pregnancy (around 28 weeks)

3. At delivery

• If you have syphilis, get treatment as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can help prevent serious health problems for you and your baby.
  
  

What if my baby gets congenital syphilis?

Your health care provider can determine if your baby has CS. Your health provider may do the following:

• Test you for syphilis using a blood test  

• Provide effective treatment for your syphilis

• Test your baby’s blood

• Perform a physical exam of your baby

• Other tests as needed

Treatment

Based on your baby’s medical condition:

• They may need antibiotics in a hospital for 10 days.

• In some cases, only one injection of antibiotics is needed.

• They need follow-up care to make sure the treatment worked.​​
  

Resources for everyone

• Assess Your Risk for STIs 

• Congenital Syphilis – CDC Fact Sheet (English)

• Congenital Syphilis – CDC Fact Sheet (Spanish)

• Find STI test sites
  

• Syphilis Fact Sheet (CDC) (English)

• Syphilis Fact Sheet (CDC)​ (Spanish)

​

​