EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS IN A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT FROM A CAPITAL CITY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital syphilis remains a public health problem. In its surveillance, qualified notification for knowledge of epidemiological indicators is essential. General objective: To describe the incidence of cases and factors for the occurrence of congenital syphilis in live births. Method: Retrospective cohort study of children exposed to syphilis born alive in 2018 in the municipality of Porto Alegre, observing the case definition. The groups were: notified cases and those exposed to syphilis during pregnancy. Analytical descriptive statistics (p≤ 0.05). The strength of the associations was determined by the odds ratio (95% CI). Results: The incidence of congenital syphilis was 20 cases/1000 LB and 5.2 cases/1000 LB considered exposed. There was low maternal schooling (p<0.001) and non-performance of prenatal care (p=0.05) by the mothers of notified cases; a higher proportion of non-reactive VDRL in children at birth (p=0.007) and case closures with treponemal tests (p<0.001) among those exposed. Conclusion: The incidence rate decreased in 2018; maternal schooling associated with poor prenatal care quality are a risk for the occurrence of the outcome; non-reactive VDRL test at birth and monitoring after birth are protective factors for the event.