The Resurgence of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis: Pregnancy, Perinatal Outcomes and Health-System Solutions

Syphilis remains a major public health concern and, in recent years, several countries have reported a troubling resurgence of both syphilis and congenital syphilis. Infection during pregnancy is associated with severe and preventable adverse outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, neonatal complications, and long-term infant morbidity. Although effective screening tools and treatment are available, important gaps persist in early diagnosis, timely treatment, partner management, and continuity of care. These challenges are often compounded by inequalities in access to antenatal care, variability in screening strategies, and fragmentation between clinical and public health services. A renewed multidisciplinary focus is therefore needed to better understand the current epidemiology of syphilis in pregnancy and to strengthen prevention and management pathways across diverse healthcare settings.

This Research Topic aims to address the re-emergence of syphilis and congenital syphilis, with particular attention to pregnancy, perinatal outcomes, and health-system responses. We seek contributions that clarify the current epidemiological burden of maternal and congenital infection, identify clinical and social determinants of delayed diagnosis, and evaluate strategies to improve screening, treatment, follow-up, and prevention. We are especially interested in research exploring recent advances in prenatal screening protocols, laboratory diagnosis, maternal-fetal assessment, therapeutic management, and surveillance systems. In addition, this collection aims to highlight models of multidisciplinary and integrated care involving obstetricians, dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, neonatologists, laboratory medicine specialists, and public health professionals. By bringing together clinical, epidemiological, and health-services perspectives, this Research Topic seeks to support evidence-based solutions capable of reducing preventable maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with syphilis.

We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Clinical Studies, Perspectives, and Public Health articles addressing syphilis and congenital syphilis in the context of reproductive health. Relevant themes include epidemiology, screening in pregnancy, risk stratification, maternal and neonatal outcomes, congenital infection, diagnostic pathways, treatment strategies, partner management, surveillance, healthcare disparities, and health-system interventions. Contributions on regional experiences, implementation science, and multidisciplinary care models are particularly encouraged. We also invite manuscripts exploring barriers to antenatal screening and treatment, innovations in prevention, and policies aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Submissions may focus on clinical practice, translational research, public health, or healthcare organization, provided they offer clear relevance to pregnancy and perinatal care.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Syphilis, Congenital Syphilis, Pregnancy, Perinatal Outcomes, Maternal Health, STI Screening, Health Systems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.