Resilience paths: maternal experiences in coping with syphilis exposure or congenital infection and the role of support networks

Congenital syphilis is a significant public health problem and can lead to several unfavorable perinatal outcomes and severe sequelae in children. In Brazil, the number of cases of congenital and gestational syphilis continues to increase, highlighting the need for timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. A lack of adequate follow-up during prenatal care may result in unwanted outcomes for the neonate, such as prolonged hospitalization and impacts on neurodevelopment. Although many studies have focused on the clinical aspects of congenital syphilis, there is a gap in understanding maternal experiences, especially regarding affective and psychological elements and the importance of support networks. To explore the experiences of mothers of children exposed to syphilis during pregnancy or with congenital infection regarding the diagnosis and hospitalization of the child and the influence of their support networks. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach based on the concept of social support networks. After ethical approval, individual and semi-structured interviews were conducted and submitted for content analysis. The study enrolled 11 mothers of children with congenital infection and two mothers of children exposed to gestational syphilis at an outpatient clinic in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The guilt of the mother and her responsibility for the vertical transmission were identified. The women experienced feelings of sadness, doubts about the child, mistaken conception of the disease, and fear of the child’s death. The experience was permeated by stigma and prejudice. The hospitalization of the child and the consequent need for invasive procedures was a moment of shock for the mother. The perspective of the child’s well-being and the recognition of the benefits of the treatment, as well as faith and the presence of a support network, were fundamental in the process. The presence of a support network in the process of coping with congenital syphilis or exposure to infection can modulate maternal health. This highlights the need for health education and more inclusive actions in the context of maternal and child health from the time of prenatal care.