Congenital syphilis in Brazil in 2001/2002 and 2012/2013: study of underlying cause of death

Abstract

Objectives: To study and to compare deaths from congenital syphilis in Brazil, in 2001/2002 and 2012/2013. Methods: A cross-sectional study of perinatal deaths data from the Mortality Information System, with mention of congenital syphilis. Mother’s reproductive history, sociodemographic aspects, gestation, delivery and newborn and cause of death were evaluated in time. Percentage comparisons and t tests were used. The level of significance was 5%. Results: There were 330 and 933 perinatal deaths with mention of congenital syphilis in 2001/2002 and 2012/2013, respectively. In both periods, the mean age of the mothers was slightly more than 23 years; more than half of the deaths were children of mothers living in the Southeast; most deaths weighted 1,000 to less than 2,500 g; 80% of the underlying causes were congenital syphilis. The percentage of mothers with more than 7 years of schooling went from 22.1% to 34.7% (p<0.001); prematurity was more frequent among those who died (p<0.001); deaths from maternal factors, complications of pregnancy and labor increased in the period; and there were reductions of respiratory and cardiovascular disorders of the perinatal period (p<0.001). Conclusion: Congenital syphilis is a public health problem in Brazil. The number of deaths that mentioned congenital syphilis almost tripled in 11 years. It is noteworthy that deaths of viable newborns occur, indicating that they are preventable.