Scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) have raised the alarm over the resurgence of congenital syphilis in the country. This sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is passed from mother to child during pregnancy, is making a slow but troubling comeback due to gaps in testing, especially in lower-level hospitals.
During the 15th Kemri Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) conference held in Nairobi, Dr. Victor Akelo, a medical epidemiologist at Kemri’s Centre for Global Health Research, highlighted the increasing prevalence of congenital syphilis. He pointed out that despite past success in reducing syphilis cases, recent data shows that infections among pregnant mothers range between 2% and 6%. This translates to a significant number of infants at risk of complications or even death.
“For the babies who have already died, we are seeing data as high as 10-12% linked to congenital syphilis,” said Dr. Akelo. This statistic underscores the critical need for early detection and intervention.
Syphilis is a treatable infection if diagnosed early, but disruptions in diagnostic services and supply chain issues have hindered timely treatment. Dr. Akelo noted that Kenya had previously made progress in controlling the disease, particularly in 2012 when significant investments were made in diagnostic capabilities. However, a lapse in these efforts has led to new infections among newborns.
According to Kemri data, an estimated 41 out of every 1,000 babies born in Kenya do not survive past their fifth birthday due to various diseases, including congenital syphilis. In some regions, this number is even higher, reaching up to 70 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure is well above the global goal of reducing child mortality to below 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.
One of the key challenges in addressing congenital syphilis is the lack of adequate antenatal care. Many women fail to attend regular prenatal check-ups, missing crucial opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment. “For us to reduce the number of children dying young, we need data that can inform targeted policy interventions,” emphasized Dr. Akelo.
The resurgence of congenital syphilis is not unique to Kenya. A study published in the journal Children revealed that between 2016 and 2023, global cases of congenital syphilis surged from 700,000 to approximately 1.5 million. This sharp rise has prompted international health experts to call for urgent measures to curb its spread.
The study highlights several preventive strategies, including:
Routine antenatal screening for syphilis.
Prompt treatment of pregnant mothers diagnosed with the infection using penicillin.
Partner tracing and treatment to prevent reinfection.
Public health education on safe sexual practices.
Addressing illicit drug use, which has been linked to higher rates of syphilis.
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to conduct thorough medical histories and syphilis confirmatory tests, such as treponemal tests, for all pregnant mothers to reduce the risk of transmission to newborns.
To combat the resurgence of congenital syphilis, Kenya must strengthen its healthcare systems to ensure continuous access to diagnostic tools and treatment. This includes addressing supply chain issues that could lead to the misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of syphilis cases.
Additionally, public health campaigns must emphasize the importance of antenatal care visits, where routine syphilis screening can be conducted. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing transmission and safeguarding the health of newborns.
The Kenyan government, in collaboration with international health organizations, must also work towards policy reforms that support free and accessible syphilis screening for expectant mothers. Without urgent action, congenital syphilis could continue to pose a significant threat to maternal and child health in the country.
By addressing these gaps in screening, treatment, and public awareness, Kenya can reverse the upward trend of congenital syphilis and protect future generations from this preventable condition.
