Perfil Epidemiológico de Sífilis Congênita em Minas Gerais: Um Estudo Descritivo de 2019 a 2023

Epidemiological Profile of Congenital Syphilis in Minas Gerais: A Descriptive Study from

Abstract

Congenital syphilis is a serious public health problem, especially in developing countries, where vertical transmission remains one of the greatest challenges. This study describes the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis in Minas Gerais between 2019 and 2023, highlighting trends and failures in treatment and diagnosis. Although preventable and with low-cost treatment, congenital syphilis continues to negatively impact child health, revealing gaps in prenatal care. This quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study analyzed confirmed cases of congenital syphilis in Minas Gerais, using data from the last five years available on SINAN/DATASUS. Epidemiological variables (year, month, mother's education, newborn's sex and race/ethnicity), screening variables (prenatal care, maternal syphilis, and partner treatment), and outcome variables (final classification and evolution) were analyzed. Bibliographic research was conducted between August and October 2024, using databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. Collected data were organized in Excel for presentation. Ethical approval was not required as the data are public. During the study period, 9,709 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in Minas Gerais, with the highest number of cases in 2019. Significant partner treatment failure was observed, a factor contributing to the persistence of vertical transmission. The study concludes that strengthening public health policies during prenatal care, focusing on early screening and proper treatment of both the pregnant woman and her partner, is essential to reduce the incidence of congenital syphilis, contributing to the WHO's goal of eradicating the disease.