Epidemiological analysis of congenital syphilis in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, 2021–2022

Abstract

Introduction. Congenital syphilis is a preventable disease with high morbidity and mortality, whose persistence reflects failures within the healthcare system.
Objective. To characterize reports of CS in Antioquia during the 2021–2022 period and analyze their relationship with gestational age at the time of delivery and diagnosis.
Materials and methods. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. All reported cases of congenital syphilis in Antioquia during 2021 and 2022 were analyzed using data from the National Institute of Health of Colombia. Sociodemographic, clinical, and healthcare-related variables from the epidemiological surveillance form were described. Frequencies, summary measures and statistical tests were applied to explore associations.
Results. A total of 375 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, with incidences of 2.9 and 2.3 per 1,000 live births in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Most mothers had a low socioeconomic status, and 89.5% of diagnoses occurred in the third trimester. Additionally, 46.4% of mothers did not receive prenatal care, and 17.6% did not receive penicillin before delivery. Gestational age at delivery was significantly associated with the neonate’s final condition (p<0.001), prenatal care (p<0.001), treatment (p<0.05), and maternal-infant serological outcomes (p<0.05).
Conclusions. Congenital syphilis remains a public health concern in Antioquia, reflecting deficiencies in timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, as well as the influence of social determinants such as low socioeconomic status. Consequently, it is essential to strengthen primary healthcare services, ensure early and continuous prenatal screening, and implement territory-specific strategies aimed at reducing vertical transmission and advancing toward the elimination of the disease.