Congenital syphilis
Chapter 1:Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
ICD-10 A50 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of congenital syphilis.
Congenital syphilis is a serious infection that occurs when a mother with syphilis transmits the bacterium Treponema pallidum to her fetus during pregnancy. This condition can lead to severe complications, including stillbirth, neonatal death, and a range of long-term health issues such as developmental delays, bone deformities, and neurological problems. The clinical presentation of congenital syphilis can vary widely, with some infants appearing healthy at birth while others may exhibit symptoms such as rash, fever, irritability, and jaundice. Diagnosis is typically made through serological testing of the infant and may include the use of non-treponemal tests (e.g., RPR, VDRL) and treponemal tests (e.g., FTA-ABS). Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent severe outcomes, and the recommended treatment for infants diagnosed with congenital syphilis is penicillin. The condition underscores the importance of prenatal screening for syphilis and the need for effective contact tracing to identify and treat infected individuals to prevent transmission.
Detailed maternal history, including syphilis screening results and treatment.
Prenatal visits with positive syphilis tests, management of syphilis in pregnancy.
Ensure accurate documentation of treatment administered to the mother and follow-up care for the infant.
Documentation of infant's clinical presentation, serological test results, and treatment administered.
Newborns presenting with signs of congenital syphilis, follow-up visits for developmental assessments.
Monitor for long-term complications and ensure appropriate referrals for developmental support.
Used to confirm maternal syphilis status during pregnancy.
Document the reason for testing and results.
Obstetricians should ensure routine screening is performed.
Congenital syphilis is primarily caused by the transmission of the Treponema pallidum bacterium from an infected mother to her fetus during pregnancy.
