SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION:
Congenital syphilis is a complex public health issue caused by the transmission of Treponema pallidum. Brazil has high incidence rates, with a distinct transmission pattern surpassing other notifiable diseases.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this study was to examine epidemiological trends, incidence rate, mortality, geographical distribution, prenatal care, and diagnostic determination timing of congenital syphilis in Paraná State.
METHODS:
Data from Department of Informatics of the Single Health System were used to analyze the period from 2015 to 2021 in Paraná. Linear regression and t-tests were employed to assess significance. Statistical significance was determined by p<0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 5,096 notifications of congenital syphilis were recorded in Paraná over the examined period. The metropolitan region is a notable clustering of cases, following Londrina, Maringá, and Foz do Iguaçu. The age group with the highest cases is found between 20 and 24 years (34.93%). Regarding maternal education, a higher occurrence was noticed in incomplete lower secondary education mothers (22.12%). Regarding ethnic background, 3,792 women were identified as white, which was the majority of this analysis (74.41%). Diagnosed maternal syphilis throughout the prenatal phase during 2015–2018 exhibited a noteworthy increase (p<0.05). Most women received prenatal care (p<0.05), even though a significant number received the diagnosis at the delivery or after it. The average infant mortality rate associated with congenital syphilis in Paraná was 0.03.
CONCLUSION:
Paraná State serves as a representative sample of this epidemiological situation, providing significant insights into the intricacies of congenital syphilis incidence. Further comparative investigations including diverse regions within Brazil are necessary.
KEYWORDS:
Epidemiology; Syphilis; Congenital; Maternal-child health services
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