Re-Emergence of Syphilis in Women of Reproductive Age and its Association with the Increase in Congenital Syphilis, The Case of Mexico During the Years 2010-2019

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is re-emerging in different parts of the world. This infection can be transmitted during pregnancy causing neonatal syphilis. The objective of the study was to determine the trend of syphilis, congenital syphilis, and mortality from congenital syphilis among the Mexican population between the years 2010-2019. Methods. We formed databases about the incidence of syphilis, the incidence of congenital syphilis, cases of congenital syphilis, and deaths of congenital syphilis using information from the Morbidity and Mortality Yearbooks and the Bulletin of the Mexican Ministry of Health, considering age, sex, the states of Mexico, and year. The trend was analyzed using linear regression, the increase was estimated with 95% confidence intervals, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The incidence of syphilis increases on average 0.336 cases/100,000, being higher among women aged 15-19 years (0.693 cases). Congenital syphilis has grown, from 62 cases in the year 2010 to 372 cases in the year 2019; the cases of congenital syphilis have relation to the increase of syphilis among women aged 20-24 years. Fifty percent of the states of Mexico without cases of congenital syphilis in 2010, but only 10% in 2018. Between the years 2010 to 2017, 62 deaths from congenital syphilis were reported. Conclusion. Congenital syphilis is increasing in Mexico, as a consequence of the reemergence of syphilis among the population of reproductive age, it is necessary to attend to syphilis in various population groups.