Question
How can one identify if a newborn has congenital syphilis? What should be the treatment approach if a newborn is diagnosed with the condition?
Answer
To diagnose congenital syphilis in newborns, a comprehensive analysis is required based on the mother’s medical history, the child’s clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, and X-ray examinations. If the mother has a relevant medical history but the child’s clinical symptoms are not apparent, the STD test kit can be used for preliminary screening. If the preliminary test results are positive, further testing with a more specific fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test is necessary for confirmation. Once a newborn is diagnosed with congenital syphilis, treatment should follow the principles of early intervention, systemic therapy, and adequate medication dosage. Penicillin is the first-line medication; if there is an allergy to penicillin, then erythromycin can be considered. Timely treatment can usually achieve complete recovery, and most cases do not leave any sequelae.