09 Jul USPSTF: Every Pregnant Woman Be Tested for Syphilis As Early As Possible
Dr. Carlos Roberto Jaén
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Carlos Roberto Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., FAAFP
Professor and Chair Emeritus
Department of Family and Community Medicine
at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
Professor at the School of Public Health
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Syphilis can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or delivery, which is known as congenital syphilis.
When left untreated, congenital syphilis can cause serious complications for the baby, including premature birth, vision or hearing loss, and death. The Task Force recommends that everyone who is pregnant be screened for syphilis as early as possible to protect their health and the health of their baby.
Perforation in the midline of the palate’s midline, due to what was a congenital syphilis infection. CDC/ Susan Lindsley
MedicalResearch.com: Is the incidence of syphilis increasing among pregnant women?
Response: Cases of congenital syphilis are ten times higher now than they were a decade ago, making it incredibly important that clinicians know to screen for syphilis so that it can be treated before pregnant women develop complications and before it spreads to their babies.
Interstitial corneal keratitis, which was due to a congenital syphilitic infection, and is a chronic progressive keratitis of the corneal stroma, often resulting in blindness. CDC/ Robert Sumpter
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Clinicians should screen pregnant patients as early as possible in pregnancy, such as at their first prenatal visit. It is important to be screened as soon as possible because early treatment reduces the risk of babies developing congenital syphilis and can prevent babies from developing serious health complications. That said, it is also important to emphasize that if screening hasn’t already occurred early in pregnancy, it should be done as soon as possible, even if that is at delivery.
Hutchinson’s teeth – CDC image
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: While the Task Force found that screening for syphilis improves the health of everyone who is pregnant and their babies, we identified a few areas where more research is needed. These include research on the potential benefits and harms of repeat screening later in pregnancy, as well as whether rapid point of care tests alone, without a laboratory test to confirm diagnosis, should be used to make treatment decisions. We also need more research on the reasons behind existing disparities in congenital syphilis cases and syphilis screening rates across populations and how to help reduce syphilis rates in the most affected groups.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: Congenital syphilis is preventable. It is estimated that 90 percent of new congenital syphilis cases could have been prevented with timely screening and treatment. Because anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk for getting syphilis, pretty much everyone who is pregnant is at risk for syphilis. That is why it is essential that everyone who is pregnant be screened for syphilis as early as possible so it can be identified and treated before the baby develops it, improving the health of both moms and babies.
Citations:
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Syphilis Infection During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2025;333(22):2006–2012. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.5009
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2833883 - Asher GN, Viswanathan M, Takyi A, Middleton JC, Baker C, Kahwati LC. Screening for Syphilis Infection During Pregnancy: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2025;333(22):2015–2017. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.1179https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2833885
- Voelker R. Screening for Syphilis Infection During Pregnancy. JAMA. 2025;333(22):2030. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7170
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2833884
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Last Updated on July 9, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
