Congenital syphilis: epidemiology of a city in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to describe the epidemiological profile of cases of congenital syphilis reported to the city health department in Serra from 2000 to 2004. METHODS: the collected data come from the forms of the cases investigation reported to the administration of the epidemiological surveillance through the information system of reported injuries of the national health system (Sinan - SUS). The following variables were used: maternal - age, level of schooling, prenatal care, partner's treatment and diagnosed during pregnancy; and the child - gestational age at birth, clinical evidence and final diagnosis. Descriptive analyses were obtained using the Windows TAB WIN program (version 5.2 - 2005). RESULTS: the prevalence of the positive serology for congenital syphilis is still high with 233 cases reported.The mothers' age was between 20 and 29 accounting for 56.7 % of the cases.The level of schooling was from 1 to 3 years of study (34.7%). 72.1% of the mothers said they had done prenatal care and 53.6% of those confirmed were diagnosed for syphilis during pregnancy. Only 26.6% of partners were given treatment. Child's variables were: 77.3% of the babies were born term, asymptomatic in 63.1% and in 78.1% of the cases, the final diagnose was of early congenital syphilis. CONCLUSION: These findings show the characteristics of the congenital syphilis reported cases and indirectly assess the quality of prenatal care given to the pregnant women in Serra, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.