Epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis cases in the state of Piauí

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis is a systemic infection that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, the placenta or blood transfusions. It is a preventable disease, but when not treated early, it can develop into a chronic condition with irreversible sequelae. Once transmission occurs via the placenta, it results in a disease called congenital syphilis. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis cases in the state of Piauí. Methodology: This is an epidemiological, retrospective and analytical study carried out by analyzing cases of congenital syphilis in the state of Piauí. The data was obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) via DATASUS. In order to deepen the research, the following variables were studied: year of notification, IBGE micro-region of residence according to the year of diagnosis, color/race, prenatal care, maternal age and schooling, and case progression. Results and discussion: in the time frame analyzed, 1,665 cases were reported, with the highest occurrences in 2018 (499 cases), 2017 (443) and 2019 (396 cases). Still in the annual context, we can see a variation with a decline from 2020 onwards. Regarding the municipalities of notification, the capital Teresina stood out with the highest rates of notifications (1,095 occurrences). The main characteristics related to the mother were age between 20 and 29 years (50.93%), whose color/race was mostly brown (69.6%) and associated with low schooling (25.89% had not completed elementary school). Conclusion: Even in the face of various current methods that can be used to circumvent the context of congenital syphilis, it is clear that this is still a current and persistent narrative. In this sense, it is understood that the tools, capture, diagnosis and continuity of treatment during prenatal care have gaps that need to be resolved.