The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released updated data showcasing trends for maternal syphilis between 2016 and 2022.
Takeaways
- Maternal syphilis rates in the United States experienced a dramatic increase of 222% from 2016 to 2022, according to the CDC's latest data analysis.
- The surge in maternal syphilis cases was observed across all racial and ethnic groups, with American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic patients showing the most significant increase of 783%.
- Age also played a crucial role, with mothers under 20 years experiencing the highest increase in syphilis rates at 290%, while rates decreased with increasing maternal age.
- Prenatal care initiation significantly impacted syphilis rates, with mothers without prenatal care seeing the most substantial increase of 298%, emphasizing the importance of early care initiation.
- The trend extended across various regions, with 47 states and the District of Columbia reporting rising maternal syphilis rates, highlighting the nationwide scope of the issue.
Since 2000 and 2001, primary and secondary syphilis rates have steadily increased each year through 2022. According to the CDC, a rise of over 250% was observed for congenital syphilis and syphilis among women of reproductive age between 2017 and 2022.
In 2016, there were 87.2 cases of maternal syphilis per 100,000 live births, vs 280.4 per 100,000 live births in 2022. This indicates a rise of 222%. Annual increases ranged from 15% between 2017 and 2018 to 32% between 2021 and 2022.
Increases in maternal syphilis were observed across all races and Hispanic-origin groups, with American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic patients having the most significant increase of 783%. Other rates include 315% among non-Hispanic White patients, 243% among Hispanic, 149% among non-Hispanic Black, 92% among Asian non-Hispanic, and 48% among Pacific Islander non-Hispanic.
American Indian and Alaska Native mothers had the highest maternal syphilis rate in 2022, followed by Pacific Islander and Black, Hispanic, White, and Asian mothers. Rises in maternal syphilis rates were also observed across all age groups, with the highest increase of 290% observed among mothers aged under 20 years.
Other rates include 277% among mothers aged 30 to 34 years, 239% among mothers aged 25 to 29 years, 226% among mothers aged 20 to 24 years, 163% among mothers aged 35 to 39 years, and 116% among mothers aged 40 years and older. The highest syphilis rate in 2022 was among mothers aged under 25 years, with decreasing rates correlating with increasing maternal age.
Rising maternal syphilis rates were observed regardless of timing or lack of paternal care, but the most significant increase of 298% was observed among mothers without prenatal care. This was followed by care starting in the third trimester at 244% and care starting in the second trimester at 240%.
Mothers beginning care in the first trimester saw a rise in syphilis of 197%. Overall, rates decreased with earlier initiation of prenatal care.
Data on maternal syphilis rates were collected across 51 areas. Of these, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported rising maternal syphilis rates from the 2016 to 2017 period to the 2021 to 2022 period. Rises of over 100% were reported by 40 states and the District of Columbia and rises of over 400% by 6 states.
Seven states reported increases below 100%, while 3 reported no significant changes. Rates in 2021 to 2022 ranged from 45.8 per 100,000 births in Maine to 762.6 per 100,000 live births in South Dakota.
This data indicated rising maternal syphilis rates across racial and ethnic, age, perinatal care, and regional groups. Maternal syphilis data was obtained from mothers’ medical records.
Reference
Gregory ECW, Ely DM. Trends and characteristics in maternal syphilis rates during pregnancy: United States, 2016–2022. National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. doi:10.15620/cdc:145590
