Mortality related to gestational syphilis: obstacles to the therapeutic approach

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational Syphilis represents a serious global Public Health problem, being transmitted by the bacteria Treponema pallidum and causing repercussions on children's health through vertical transmission. In pregnancy, the consequences extend to birth mortality, prematurity and abortion. Objective: To demonstrate mortality related to Gestational Syphilis and impasses in therapeutic approach. Method: This is an integrative literature review, an evidence-based practice instrument. The data analysis was from the Virtual Health Library in the databases of Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrievel System Online (MEDLINE) through two indexed and non-indexed descriptors (words -chave) in Portuguese and English languages: “Syphilis”, “Syphillis”, “Mortalidade”, “Mortality”, “Terapêutica e “Therapeutics” combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR. From the initial search, carried out in July 2024, 6 (six) forums condizentes with the research quest. Results and Discussion: It is evident that the addition of treatment for the pregnant woman and her partner constitutes a significant challenge, whose socioeconomic barrier is strongly associated. From another perspective, there is an allergy to the treatment drug, causing difficulties in desensitizing the patient. Conclusion: It is confirmed that the topic is permeated by stigmatizing factors and limited resources in the therapeutic approach to Gestational Syphilis, reiterating the importance of studies whose focus should turn to the timely and early diagnosis carried out by health professionals.