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USPSTF affirms that all pregnant women should be screened for syphilis
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a draft recommendation affirming its 2009 decision that all women who are pregnant should be screened for syphilis.
This marks the 16th time out of 98 total recommendations that the USPSTF has issued an “A” grade recommendation for a specific preventive service.
According to the USPSTF, many groups have echoed similar screening recommendations, and numerous states have mandated screening for syphilis infection at some point during gestation. However, incidence rates of primary and secondary syphilis infection in women and congenital syphilis in their offspring are rising.
Chien-Wen Tseng, MD, MPH, MSEE, associate professor and associate director of research in the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Hawaii and a USPSTF member, told Infectious Disease News that passing syphilis from mother to fetus could lead to “disastrous consequences” such as miscarriage, premature birth, the baby’s death after birth, or severe birth defects.
Some research gaps still exist, she noted, despite the “A” recommendation.
“Additional research on studies that compare different screening methods; identify the most effective times during pregnancy to provide repeat screenings and which higher risk populations should be rescreened; and assess the effectiveness and safety of treatment options aside from penicillin ... would be worthwhile,” Tseng said. – by Janel Miller
- Reference:
- USPSTF. Opportunity for Public Comment. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Name/us-preventive-services-task-force-opportunities-for-public-comment. Accessed February 16, 2018.
Disclosure: Tseng reports no relevant financial disclosures.