Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today the launch of a new data collection process aimed at addressing the rising number of congenital syphilis cases. A newly introduced online form will facilitate the collection of comprehensive data by alerting public health officials if a person who tests positive for syphilis is pregnant.

Last fall, IDPH initiated the Perinatal Syphilis Warmline (1-800-439-4079), a phone service designed to provide expert clinical guidance for prenatal healthcare providers. These measures respond to a significant increase in congenital syphilis cases in Illinois since 2020. The state reported 29 cases in 2020, 50 cases in 2021, 84 cases in 2022, and provisional data indicates 103 cases in 2023.

“Every child born in Illinois can and should be protected from acquiring congenital syphilis,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “IDPH is determined to collaborate closely with healthcare providers to reverse the alarming increase in cases we have seen in recent years. Our new data collection process is designed to alert us faster to the pregnancy status of those with positive syphilis tests and lead to timelier treatment. Syphilis during pregnancy can cause tragic outcomes. Please remember that the best way to protect our Illinois babies is for pregnant persons to get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections before birth.”

The new online reporting form is intended for providers outside Chicago; those within Chicago report cases to the Chicago Department of Public Health. This form replaces a slower mandatory reporting process and takes approximately three minutes to complete. It aims to improve clinical information about pregnant individuals and newborns, aiding local health departments in providing appropriate treatment, follow-up testing, and partner testing and treatment.

This enhancement will support efforts to curb the rise of congenital syphilis by flagging new cases promptly and ensuring timely treatment during pregnancy and after birth, preventing long-term consequences.

Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria spread through sexual contact. Congenital syphilis occurs when an untreated pregnant person passes the infection to their infant during pregnancy, potentially causing permanent damage or death. Before birth, it can result in miscarriage, premature delivery, or low birth weight. Up to 40% of babies with congenital syphilis may be stillborn or die from the infection. Untreated infants may develop serious complications such as seizures or developmental delays.

IDPH urges medical providers to increase syphilis testing for all individuals—especially pregnant people—in various medical settings including urgent care, emergency departments, and prenatal care settings. Illinois law mandates prenatal healthcare providers screen all pregnant individuals for syphilis at their first prenatal visit and early in the third trimester, ensuring treatment begins at least 30 days before delivery.

The expansion of the Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline now includes consultation services via the Perinatal Syphilis Warmline for managing syphilis during pregnancy and infancy periods. The warmline offers clinical consultations Monday through Friday with responses within one business day.

Addressing this issue also faces challenges due to a current shortage of Bicillin—the only medication that treats syphilis during pregnancy and childhood stages. Providers are advised to prioritize Bicillin inventory for infants and pregnant individuals who lack alternative treatments while consulting CDC guidelines for adequate care.

For more information about congenital syphilis, click HERE.