Congenital Syphilis
Protecting You and Your Baby.
Syphilis is a treatable infection. Testing before and during pregnancy can protect you and help prevent serious health problems for your baby.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria.
It can be passed through:
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
- Oral sex
Symptoms:
- Often none
- A painless sore
- A rash
Congenital Syphilis in Canada:
Reported increase from:
17 cases in 2018 to 693 cases in 2023
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What is congenital syphilis?
A syphilis infection that is passed from a pregnant person to their baby during pregnancy or birth.
Often has no symptoms at birth.
It can cause:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Developmental delays
- Other long-term health problems
- Serious infections affecting the baby's:
- Eyes (blindness)
- Liver (enlarged liver and spleen)
- Bones and joints
- Brain (meningitis)
- Nerves
- Skin (jaundice)
- Hearing (deafness)
Reduce the risks
✔ Attend prenatal appointments
✔ Complete follow-up testing
✔ Encourage partners to get tested and treated if needed
✔ Get tested early in pregnancy
✔ Get treated if needed
✔ Use condoms to reduce sexually transmitted infection risks
Test is positive, what next?
- Treatment with Antibiotics
- Follow-up testing
- You will receive:
- Information about syphilis
- Ongoing support
Learn More
- Government of Canada - Syphilis in Pregnancy
- Ottawa Public Health - Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI)
Sources
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections: Syphilis Screening and Diagnostic Testing.
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Infectious Congenital Syphilis in Canada, 2023. Canada Communicable Disease Report, 2025.
- Ottawa Public Health. Staying Healthy in Pregnancy.