Clinical Study on Pregnant Women with Syphilis

Seventy one pregnant women who were admitted and delivered at Ewha Womans University Hospital were diagnosed as syphilis by VDRL(Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) rest and TPHA(Treponema pallidum, hemagglutination assay). These seventy one pregnant women with syphilis and their new born babies were analyzed. The results of this study are as follows: 1) The prevalence rate of syphilis in pregnant women was about 0.75%)71 seropositive women among 9410 women during a period of 4 year from Jan. 1983 to Dec. 1986). 2) In obstetric history, rate of spontaneous abortion was 14.1%, stillbirth; 8.5%, neonatal death; 4.2%, and congenital anomaly; 4.2%. 3) Obstetric complications of fetal side were prematurity(12.7%), small for date baby(12.7%), intrauterine fetal death(8.5%), and neonatal death(2.8%). Maternal obstetric complications were preeclampsia(12.7%), spontaneous premature rupture of membrane(12.7%), anemia in pregnancy(11.3%), hepatitis(5.6%), abruptio placentae(2.8%), and diabetes mellitus(1.4%). 4) 39.4% of pregnant women with syphilis were detected by syphilitic test at admission for delivery, and 8.5% were detected by visiting hospital because of absence of fetal movement. 23.9% of pregnant women with syphilis were detected by syphilitic test during the antenatal care, and 28.2% were detected already before this pregnancy. 39.4% of pregnant women with syphilis failed to check the syphilitic test during the antepartum period in spite of taking antenatal care. 5) VDRL titers of the syphilitic mother were 1 : 1(23.1%), 1 : 2(36.9%), and 1 : 32 or more (7.7%). VDRL titers of the fetus were negative(30.8%), weakly reactive(7.7%), and 1 : 1(35.4%). 6) Mother's VDRL titers in cases of intrauterine fetal death were 1 : 2-1 : 64. In neonatal death, VDRL titers of the neonate were 1:64-1:320, and mother's titers were 1:32-1:320.