Pre-natal diagnosis of congenital syphilis; a case report

A sixteen-year-old unmarried primigravida was referred from General hospital Hambantota to Teaching hospital, Ragama for specialized management of foetal anaemia and ascites at 32 weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed as secondary syphilis with condylomata lata lesions and had a VDRL titre of R:16 and treated with one dose of intramuscular Benzathine penicillin two days prior to transfer. Ultrasound scan was suggestive of foetal hydrops. Foetal anaemia was suspected and intrauterine transfusion of packed red cells performed successfully. Foetal blood was drawn during the procedure for VDRL and haemoglobin for the diagnosis of congenital syphilis and anaemia respectively. Despite maternal antibiotic treatment and intrauterine management of foetal complications, intrauterine death occurred at 33 weeks of gestation.

Sri Lanka Journal of Sexual Health and HIV Medicine Vol.1 2015: 37-40