Spectrum News: Syphilis cases are increasing in pregnant women
UC expert says early detection is critical
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of syphilis cases among pregnant women in Ohio nearly doubled between 2016 and 2022. Syphilis is a treatable bacterial infection that is spread through intimate contact.
Without treatment, the mother's health can be affected, and the child may develop birth defects or be stillborn. That is why medical professionals say it is important to get prenatal care as early as possible.
Spectrum News produced a story interviewing Meredith Pensak, MD of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Carl Fichtenbaum, MD of the Division of Infectious Diseases, both in the UC College of Medicine.
Meredith Pensak, MD, of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand
“We know that catching syphilis early in pregnancy and treating it can significantly decrease the risk of stillbirth,” said Pensak. “It can decrease the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and neonatal demise and death.”
Pensak, who is a member of the Hamilton County Congenital Syphilis Review Board, has been studying it for years and knows just how much of an impact it has had on her patients.
"We're seeing this increased rate of congenital syphilis of babies being born with syphilis and the issues that come with that," Pensak told Spectrum News.
Fichtenbaum says the issues become even more serious if a pregnant woman passes it on to her child in the womb.
"If it happens when the child is developing in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, there can be birth defects associated with it that are long-lasting and can not be reversed," said Fichtenbaum.
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Joe Fuqua II/UC Marketing + Brand
That's why Pensak said it's important to detect it early on during pregnancy.
"We know that a lack of prenatal care increases your risk of having congenital syphilis and these complications," Pensak said who added insurance issues for some is contributing to the problem.
"We see patients with unstable housing might not have access and we see that, in general, there has also been reduced public awareness," she said. "We know that catching syphilis early in pregnancy and treating it can significantly reduce the risk of still birth, it can decrease the risk of pre-term birth, it can decrease the risk of low birth rate, and it can decrease the risk of neonatal demise and death.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC study: Brain organ plays key role in adult neurogenesis
July 2, 2024
The University of Cincinnati has published research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that found the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid play a key role in maintaining a pool of newly born neurons to repair the adult brain after injury.
WalletHub: 5 best chip and pin credit cards
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati director discusses 5 best chip and pin credit cards with WalletHub
WVXU: Supreme Court temporarily blocks key air pollution regulations
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor spoke with WVXU about recent Supreme Court decision to temporarily block key air pollution regulations.
Put down that beer; it's not a tanning lotion
July 1, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss what's fact and what's myth when it comes to sunscreen use, different kinds of sunscreen and a social media recommendation to use beer on your skin to help get a tan.
UC alum visits campus to teach students about footwear design
June 28, 2024
A 2011 graduate of design, UC alum Charley Hudak has seen his career trajectory go from intern to creative director for Tiger Woods' new athletic footwear brand, Sun Day Red. While he may run with the biggest cat in golf, Hudak doesn't forget his Bearcat roots and comes back each summer to teach youth about footwear design at DAAP Camps.
Slate: How the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy
June 28, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor, Joseph Tomain, wrote a Slate editorial discussion how the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy.
Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work better
June 28, 2024
WVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
UC opens Blood Cancer Healing Center
June 28, 2024
Media outlets including WLWT, Local 12, Spectrum News, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cleveland.com highlighted the opening of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Blood Cancer Healing Center.
Financial factors to consider when moving
June 27, 2024
Moving can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. When it comes time to move, there are important financial implications to consider, Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, told USA Today.
New project aims to better support teen mothers in Adams County
June 27, 2024
WCPO highlighted a partnership between the University of Cincinnati and the Adams County Health Department that is aiming to provide better support for teen mothers in the county.