Congenital syphilis historical perspective

Congenital syphilis was first described in an English 17th century in a pediatric textbook. Transplacental transmission from an asymptomatic infected mother was first described in 1906. Sir Jonathan Hutchinson described the triad of notched incisors, interstitial keratitis, and eighth cranial nerve deafness as a criterion for diagnosis of congenital syphilis.

• Sir Jonathan Hutchinson described the triad of notched incisors, interstitial keratitis, and eighth cranial nerve deafness as a criterion for diagnosis of congenital syphilis. The condition was well described in the 15th century and has long been recognized as a syndrome transmitted from an infected adult.
• In the 19th century congenital syphilis was believed to be transmitted during conception by the father’s sperm or during delivery in the birth canal, or from infected milk or breasts.^[1]
• In 1905, Schaudinn and Hoffmann identified Spirochaeta pallida.
• Transplacental transmission from an asymptomatic infected mother was first described in 1906.^[2]
• In 1943, Lentz and Ingraham reported penicillin as treatment for congenital syphilis.
• In 2006, the WHO launched a global effort to eliminate congenital syphilis.

Template:WikiDoc Sources