Syphilis cases are increasing rapidly in Illinois in newborns, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. To slow the spread, IDPH is urging providers to take advantage of a new department data collection process to collect clinical information that can alert public health officials to positive cases.
The online reporting form is for health care providers in the state outside of Chicago to report cases of syphilis, an infection caused by bacteria that is transmitted through sexual contact, in pregnant people and newborns. This form replaces the outdated and time-consuming mandatory reporting process.
In the document, local health departments across the state can use clinical information to help doctors provide appropriate treatment, follow-up testing, and partner testing and treatment.
Speedy reporting will help the state’s efforts to reverse the rise in congenital syphilis cases by flagging new cases earlier and helping those who test positive for STIs receive treatment during pregnancy and prevent long-term consequences. term of untreated syphilis.
“All children born in Illinois can and should be protected from congenital syphilis,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a news release. “IDPH is determined to work closely with healthcare providers to reverse the alarming rise in cases we have seen in recent years.”
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In the fall of last year, IDPH launched the Prenatal Syphilis Helpline to call 1-800-439-4079 Monday through Friday; Calls to the line provide expert guidance to healthcare providers about congenital syphilis, a form of sexually transmitted infection in which people transmit syphilis to their baby during pregnancy.
Congenital syphilis can cause serious health problems for parents and end the child’s life through miscarriage and stillbirth, as up to 40% of babies with congenital syphilis can be stillborn due to the infection.
Since 2020, cases of congenital syphilis in Illinois have more than tripled from 29 in 2020 to more than 100 cases in 2023. A baby with syphilis infection may not have signs or symptoms of the infection at birth. But if left untreated, the baby can develop serious complications, such as seizures or developmental delay.
The IDPH says reducing syphilis cases in pregnant people is also a challenge due to the current shortage of bicillin, the only drug on the market that treats syphilis during pregnancy.
The department said more healthcare providers should prioritize the use of bicillin for the treatment of pregnant people and babies to ensure appropriate measures are taken.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. You can contact her at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
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