Epidemiological situation of new cases of congenital syphilis in Chile, 2010-2022

Abstract

Congenital syphilis is the transplacental transmission of the Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The incidence of syphilis has increased worldwide and in Chile.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of new cases of congenital syphilis in Chile between 2010 and 2022.

Subjects and Method: Descriptive design, review of the database of notifiable diseases. Variables included sex, region, clinical stage, co-infection with other STIs, and year, among others. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata v.18.

Results: The incidence has shown an upward trend since 2018, with 2021 having the highest number of reports. 63% of cases were reported in three regions: the Metropolitan Region, Valparaíso, and Biobío. Of the total cases, 63% were classified as early congenital (n = 288), and among these, 31% presented with symptoms.

Conclusion: Congenital syphilis is on the rise in Chile.