Neonatal Deaths due to Congenital Syphilis. Cordoba Argentina. 2017-2018 years

Abstract

During the last years, there was an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with a predominance of syphilis. In the Province of Córdoba, in 2017 there were 495 infant deaths and in 2018 391. The number of cases where Congenital Syphilis was the cause of death was 12 and 4 respectively. In the framework of the elimination of the Maternal and Child Transmission (IMT) of Syphilis, HIV and other diseases, in 2017 a Situation Room (SS) was established, which develops different work strategies, which include the study of cases of Infant Mortality, where Syphilis appears as a diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to analyze pregnancy controls and access to treatment of pregnant women and their partners, whose children died from Congenital Syphilis.

A epidemiological, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 and 2018. Pregnancy controls and access to treatment of 16 pregnant women and their partners, whose infants had died, were analyzed, including Congenital Syphilis as a basic, intermediate or direct cause of death. The data were obtained from the Form B of Neonatal Death Complaint.

Regarding the number of pregnancy controls: in 2017, a case without data, 3 with insufficient controls (less than 5) and 7 without control. In 2018, a case without data, one with insufficient controls and 2 without control. Regarding access to treatment in cases diagnosed during pregnancy, in 2017, there were 4 mothers without treatment and 7 without data. In 2018, 1 mother without treatment and 3 without data. In no case was the treatment of the couples registered.

The results evidence a deficit in the quantity and quality of pregnancy controls in the study population. The creation of the SS of IMT, generated strategies, which are reflected in the reduction of mortality. Actions initiated to achieve an incidence rate of congenital syphilis should be continued in less than 0.5 cases per 1000 live births by 2020, proposed by WHO / PAHO and UNICEF