Decline in Sexually Transmitted Diseases, but Rising Congenital Syphilis in Newborns
While STD cases among adults are decreasing in the US, congenital syphilis in newborns continues to rise, highlighting ongoing challenges in prenatal care and disease prevention.
Recent public health data indicates a positive trend in reducing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adults in the United States, with reported cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and infectious syphilis decreasing for the second or third consecutive year. According to provisional CDC figures for 2024, gonorrhea cases, which peaked in previous years, have seen a notable decline, and similar downward trends are observed for chlamydia and certain stages of syphilis.
However, a concerning exception to this trend is the persistent rise in congenital syphilis cases, where pregnant women infected with syphilis pass the infection to their babies. Since 2012, there has been a steady increase in these cases, from about 300 to nearly 4,000 in recent years. Although 2024 saw a modest increase of less than 2% over 2023, health officials emphasize that no level of congenital syphilis is acceptable, as these infections can cause severe health issues or mortality in newborns, including deafness, blindness, and skeletal deformities.
Overall, last year’s data showed approximately 1.5 million cases of chlamydia, 543,000 of gonorrhea, and over 190,000 of syphilis, marking a 9% decline from 2023. The decline is partly attributed to reduced risky behaviors among young people and increased use of antibiotics like doxycycline, particularly among gay, bisexual, and transgender populations.
Despite improvements in adult STD cases, the rise in congenital syphilis underscores gaps in prenatal care and screening. Current screening rates indicate that only about 80% of pregnant women undergo syphilis testing, which may contribute to continued transmission to infants.
Health experts assert that efforts must intensify to prevent mother-to-child transmission and better protect vulnerable populations. The data highlights the ongoing need for improved screening, education, and prevention strategies to address these public health challenges.
Source: medicalxpress.com
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