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Why are pregnant women tested for syphilis?

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Scanning electron micrograph of Treponema pallidum, the spirochete bacterium that is the causative agent of syphilis. — syphilis Scanning electron micrograph of *Treponema pallidum*, the spirochete bacterium that is the causative agent of syphilis.

Pregnant women are routinely tested for syphilis because the infection can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy, leading to severe health consequences.12

If an infected mother is not treated, the consequences for the fetus can be devastating:
* Approximately 25% of affected fetuses die and are spontaneously aborted.2
* Another 25% of affected infants die shortly after birth.2
* Surviving infants may suffer from congenital syphilis, which can cause pneumonia, rashes, skeletal abnormalities, blindness, deafness, and damage to the central nervous system.23

Testing is a critical ethical measure because antibiotics, such as penicillin, are highly effective at treating the infection and preventing its transmission to the fetus. Early detection and treatment are essential to protect the life and long-term health of the child.13