Prenatal strategies and actions against congenital syphilis: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Although syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection, vertical Treponema pallidum transmission can take place at any gestational stage, or at any clinical maternal disease stage, and lead to severe consequences. Objective: Critically analyzing, strategies and actions focusing on the prevention and control of congenital syphilis during prenatal care, based on studies available in the literature. Methods: Integrative literature review comprising articles written in Portuguese, published from 2010 to 2018, at databases such as SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences) and BDENF (Nursing Database). The total number of 112 studies were found in the aforementioned databases; 11 of them were selected and fully read. Results: Opportunities for taking actions and adopting strategies to prevent congenital syphilis have been constantly lost, which highlights weak points in prenatal care services at all health care levels. Conclusion: Actions focusing on prevention and control of congenital syphilis lie on enabling access to high-quality, comprehensive and humanized prenatal care and serological screening, with immediate start of treatment to syphilitic pregnant women and to their partners. However, it is necessary qualifying health professionals and health education to the population.