1142 - Increased Odds of Psychiatric Illness Among Mothers of Infants with Congenital Syphilis

Background: Syphilis can be transmitted mother to child during pregnancy leading to multisystem birth defects if untreated. In Illinois, screening is mandated for pregnant women at first and third trimesters. The University of Illinois Hospital (UIH) serves a vulnerable patient population with a high syphilis prevalence. An understanding of risk factors associated with maternal syphilis infection can guide prevention of congenital syphilis (CS) with early prenatal diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this retrospective case control study is to describe maternal risk factors associated with CS in a clinical setting.

Methods: Using a database used for health department reporting from 2014-2018 at UIH, 106 maternal syphilis diagnoses were identified. Medical records were reviewed for CS infant diagnosis, sociodemographic information, medical history, and potential risk factors, including multiple sex partners, HIV status, drug use, history of incarceration or sex work, and having sex with men who have sex with men (MSM). Cases were matched with controls of pregnant women with syphilis testing that was not indicative of infection.

Results: Of the maternal syphilis diagnoses identified, there were 8 cases in which CS was possible or highly probable, 68 in which CS was less likely or unlikely, and 30 that were lost to follow up. Of the possible and probable infants’ mothers, 38% had a psychiatric illness (6.80 OR, 95% CI 1.06-43.48) and 25% were homeless (12.00 OR, 95% CI 0.94-153.89). Late or scant prenatal care was seen in 75% (4.15 OR, 95% CI 0.72-23.95) and 75% had inadequate syphilis treatment. None were HIV positive or reported incarceration, intravenous drug use, sex work, or having sex with MSM.

Conclusion: Among infants with probable or possible CS, there was a 6.80 increased odds of maternal psychiatric illness compared to those born to mothers not diagnosed with syphilis, which may have complicated prenatal care and delayed diagnosis or treatment. Psychiatric illness outnumbered several other known risk factors; however, these may be less often discussed during clinical encounters. Psychiatric illness history may be a risk factor and means to identify women in the clinical setting who need close follow up and outreach after a prenatal syphilis diagnosis to prevent or mitigate congenital transmission.