Late congenital syphilis
Late congenital syphilis is a subset of cases of congenital syphilis. By definition, it occurs in children at or greater that 2 years of age who acquired the infection trans-placentally.
Symptoms include[1]
- blunted upper incisor teeth known as Hutchinson's teeth
- inflammation of the cornea known as interstitial keratitis
- deafness from auditory nerve disease
- frontal bossing (prominence of the brow ridge)
- saddle nose (collapse of the bony part of nose)
- hard pallet defect
- swollen knees
- saber shins
- short maxillae
- protruding mandible
A frequently-found group of symptoms is Hutchinson's triad, which consists of Hutchinson's teeth (notched incisors), keratitis and deafness and occurs in 63% of cases.[1]
Treatment (with penicillin) before the development of late symptoms is essential. [2]
References