Syphilis and Pregnancy

Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy and also during childbirth. Some babies with syphilis are stillborn or die soon after birth. Babies born with syphilis may develop skin sores, rashes, fever, jaundice (yellow skin), anemia (a blood problem), weak crying sounds, and swollen liver and spleen. Testing and treating syphilis early in a pregnant woman is the best way to keep her baby from getting syphilis.