Congenital syphilis historical perspective

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Congenital syphilis was first described in an English 17th century pediatric textbook, although Paracelsus, who lived from 1493 until 1541, first suggested it in utero transmission. Transplacental transmission from an asymptomatic infected mother was first described in 1906. Sir Jonathan Hutchinson described the triad of notched incisors, interstitial keratitis, and eighth cranial nerve deafness as a criterion for diagnosis of congenital syphilis.

Historical Perspective

Congenital syphilis was first described in an English 17th century pediatric textbook, although Paracelsus, who lived from 1493 until 1541, first suggested it in utero transmission. As a result of this knowledge, newborns with syphilis were abandoned by their mothers because of fear of contagion. Sir Jonathan Hutchinson described the triad of notched incisors, interstitial keratitis, and eighth cranial nerve deafness as a criterion for diagnosis of congenital syphilis. The condition was well described in the 15th century and has long been recognized as a distinct syndrome in which the source is an infected adult. Several theories have been advanced to explain how the infection is transmitted, including transmission from a father infected with syphilis and transmission from an infant's nursing an infected wet nurse.

References

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