Congenital Syphilis occurs when a pregnant woman has syphilis, and the infection passes to the baby during pregnancy or at the time of delivery. Cases of congenital syphilis have been increasing across the US and it has been identified as an emerging health threat by CDC’s Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET). Without proper treatment, syphilis can cause serious health complications.
Congenital Syphilis Overview
Prevention, early detection and treatment are key to addressing congenital syphilis. This toolkit provides shareable educational resources on congenital syphilis, including downloadable materials and social media graphics for both clinicians and families. These resources were developed in collaboration with AAP state chapters and local health departments as part of a CDC-funded project addressing emerging health threats affecting infants, children and families. Additional information about participating states and the CDC’s Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET) can be found in the partner resources section below.
Clinician and Family Educational Resources
Clinical Resources
Access downloadable resources for pediatric and family healthcare clinicians, including information sheets, tip sheets, FAQ, worksheets and more.
Social Media
Access shareable social media graphics to increase awareness among clinicians and families on congenital syphilis.
Podcasts
Listen to AAP’s Pediatrics on Call podcast episode on having difficult conversations with families about a diagnosis of congenital syphilis and other diseases.
AAP Redbook
Access AAP’s redbook online for downloadable and interactive tools to address congenital syphilis in your practice. (login required)
Family Resources
Access downloadable educational resources to share with families in your practice and community
HealthyChildren.org
Access downloadable and shareable articles for families to increase awareness and education on hepatitis C.
Partner and Support Organization Resources
Compassionate Conversations: Screening for Syphilis During Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Compassionate Conversations episode on congenital syphilis provides a patient centered discussion resource to aid healthcare professionals support their patients.
ACOG Explains: Preventing Infections in Pregnancy
This American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist video provides information for families on preventing infections such as COVID-19, flu, cytomegalovirus, chickenpox, listeria, STIs, and toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.
AAP Chapters
Access local and state specific resources from AAP chapters on congenital syphilis. Including resources developed by the Arkansas, Arizona and Pennsylvania chapters work with local health departments to address congenital syphilis in their states.
Recent Rise in Syphilis
Learn more about the recent rise in congenital syphilis across the United States.
Congenital Syphilis Treatment Guidelines
Access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention congenital syphilis teatment guidelines'
Protect Yourself and Your Baby from Syphilis
Access the March of Dimes congenital syphilis infographic that can be shared with families in your practice or community
Additional Resources
Congenital Syphilis
Visit AAP’s congenital syphilis patient care page for more information and resources including prevention, testing and treatment recommendations.
Emerging Threats
To learn more about emerging health threats to infants and children and access additional resources and toolkits visit AAP’s Emerging threats webpage.
CDC Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET)
Learn more about the SET-NET program at CDC and the approach utilized to identify the impact of emerging and re-emerging health threats on pregnant women and their infants.
This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $350,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Last Updated
08/12/2025
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics