Stroke in pregnancy associated with syphilis

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 405 - 407
• Main Authors: Bowring, Julie, Mahto, Mrinalini, Mandal, Debashis, Baker, Philip N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Aspirin - therapeutic use; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; infection; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; meningovascular syphilis; Penicillin G - therapeutic use; Penicillin G Procaine - therapeutic use; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - diagnosis; Probenecid - therapeutic use; stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - diagnosis; syphilis; Syphilis - complications; Syphilis - diagnosis; Syphilis - drug therapy; Treponema pallidum
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2008.00789.x

The Incidence of Syphilis has increased in developed countries over recent years. This potentially could lead to a rise in the number of cases presenting in obstetrics and a resurgence of congenital syphilis. Syphilis is a treatable condition, screening in pregnancy is both cost effective and cost beneficial. We describe a rare presentation of syphilis in a young woman in early pregnancy. The patient presented with a stroke, at which time her partner was diagnosed with early latent syphilis. Her findings were thought to be consistent with meningovascular syphilis and treatment lead to resolution of her symptoms. Antenatal screening for syphilis is offered to all women in the UK. Changing migration patterns and high‐risk behavior however, may cause cases to go undetected. Vigilant screening for syphilis is needed in pregnancy as prompt diagnosis and management will aim to cure the mother whilst preventing the adverse effects associated with congenital syphilis.