Objective To compare temporal trends in congenital syphilis with adult primary and secondary syphilis incidence in Texas. Study Design Population-based retrospective trend analysis using CDC WONDER data from 2016–2023. Results Congenital syphilis incidence increased from 17.5 to 238.6 per 100,000 live births, representing a 12.6-fold increase. The annual percent change (APC) was 29.7% (95% CI 27.9–31.6; p<0.001). Adult primary and secondary syphilis increased from 7.0 to 15.0 per 100,000 population (113% increase), with an APC of 13.1% (95% CI 12.5–13.8; p<0.001). The increase in congenital syphilis significantly outpaced adult trends (interaction p<0.001). Conclusion Congenital syphilis in Texas has increased at a markedly greater rate than adult syphilis, suggesting failures in prenatal screening, treatment, or care access beyond rising community transmission alone.
Toro et al. (Wed,) studied this question.