Congenital syphilis other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]Aravind Kuchkuntla, M.B.B.S[3]

Pathologic examination of the placenta or umbilical cord by using specific fluorescent antitreponemal antibody staining and CSF analysis can be done.

Indications : Lumbar puncture is indicated in the following situations.^[1]

• If the infant or child has signs and symptoms of congenital Syphilis.
• If there is no documentation of treatment for maternal infection during the period of gestation.
• If the mother was treated within 4 weeks of delivery.
• If the mother was inadequately treated or documentation of the treatment is incomplete.
• A four-fold decline in titer following therapy in the mother is not documented.

CSF Findings:

• Reactive CSF VDRL. ^[2]
• CSF pleocytosis(>25 white blood cells [WBC]/microL for infants <1 month)
• Elevated CSF protein (>150 mg/dL in term infants <1 month of age and >170 mg/dL in preterm infants <1 month of age)

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