Congenital syphilis as an unusual cause of abnormal cardiotocogram

Abstract

Congenital syphilis is now uncommon in Britain, only 19 cases having been reported in 1979 and eight in 1980. This is probably largely due to antenatal screening, though penicillin has made a contribution. Treponemes cross the placenta even in the first trimester, but the fetus does not seem to react to this process until after the fourth month. Intrauterine death may result or a child may be born with or soon develop signs of syphilis. Intrauterine growth retardation may precede the intervention, and skilled paediatric intensive care this baby would probably have died. The authors report a case of congenital syphilis presenting with diminished movements of fetal distress detected by monitoring before labour.