Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Summer 2016
Document Type
Project
Course Number
N5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
Dr. Cachillo
Keywords
syphilis, congenital syphilis, syphilis in pregnancy, syphilis treatment, syphilis pathophysiology
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
Despite available prevention and treatment measures, congenital syphilis is on the rise again in the United States (Su et al, 2016). Congenital syphilis is caused by maternal infection during pregnancy with the bacteria Treponema pallidum, which is then transmitted to the fetus. Complications include miscarriage, fetal and neonatal death, premature birth, and other anomalies in the newborn. The leading factor in congenital syphilis infection is limited or no prenatal care (Dobson, 2016). If the syphilis-infected mother is treated during pregnancy, infection of the fetus can be prevented (Su et al, 2016). Nurses and health care providers need to be well informed on the risk factors and be able to rapidly diagnose congenital syphilis so that treatment can be initiated, leading to decreased fetal and neonatal mortality.
Recommended Citation
Bennett, Natalie T., "Congenital Syphilis" (2016). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 173.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/173