High syphilis rate hurting S.A. babies on Astini News

Syphilis rates in Bexar County are the highest of any major Texas city and, unfortunately, that dubious distinction is affecting newborns in our community.

Last year, Bexar County reported 670 new cases of syphilis. That is slightly less than the number reported the previous year but three times those reported in 2003, the Express-News reports.

Health department statistics show 11 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2010 and 12 in 2009. There was only one baby born with the affliction in 2004.

Texas has one of the highest syphilis infection rates in the nation and it has the potential of doing some serious damage if left untreated.

The disease can lead to blindness and heart failure among adults. Babies born of moms afflicted with untreated syphilis can suffer death or serious developmental problems.

Of the 11 births last year in Bexar County involving mothers infected with syphilis, four were stillbirths.

Given the ready availability of treatment, there should not be any cases of congenital syphilis. With proper diagnosis during pregnancy, the disease can be treated with a single shot of penicillin, but unfortunately many of the infected moms do not get proper prenatal care during their pregnancies.

The Texas Department of State Health Services last week began a radio campaign in San Antonio to raise public awareness of the problem. It will run through early next month.

The message about the signs and symptoms of this easily treated disease should not be ignored. The consequences could be deadly.