Analysis of the mortality rate in infants from congenital syphilis in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital syphilis is an infectious disease with compulsory notification. Therefore, its occurrence is judged as a sentinel event in order to measure the quality of prenatal care. Objectives: To analyze deaths from congenital syphilis in infants in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Methodology: Retrospective and descriptive ecological study prepared by collecting data from the Disease Information and Notification System of the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System on deaths from congenital syphilis in Rio de Janeiro between 2012 and 2023. Results and Discussion: In this study, 574 deaths were reported in children under 6 days of age and under 1 year old in Rio de Janeiro due to congenital syphilis. It is clear that, even with the high rates of prenatal care and maternal syphilis diagnosis during pregnancy, they were not enough to interrupt the transmission sequence of this disease. Conclusion: The study reveals the epidemiological profile of deaths from congenital syphilis in infants, demonstrating a predominance in the age group under 6 days of age, mixed race and female. Therefore, a multifactorial approach is necessary, based on the consolidation and expansion of access to the SUS through preventive actions, increased inputs for testing, medication for the treatment of mothers, partners and children, clinical follow-up for newborns with congenital syphilis and satisfactory training of health professionals.