SÍFILIS GESTACIONAL E SÍFILIS CONGÊNITA DURANTE A PANDEMIA DE COVID-19: PERFIL SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO E DESAFIOS ASSISTENCIAIS EM UM HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO NO MUNICÍPIO DE JOÃO PESSOA, PB

Abstract

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. It is a major global health challenge because, despite having proven diagnostic tests and treatment, its incidence still occurs at alarming levels, causing economic and social impacts. An important specific form of presentation is gestational syphilis. Its importance is due to the possibility of the causative agent infecting the fetus, via the hematogenous route, and causing congenital syphilis, which can present a wide range of manifestations, from the least harmful to the most serious. It is therefore important to constantly analyze the profile of pregnant patients and newborns who acquire syphilis, in order to provide more effective care and understand possible failures in the health system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant changes, both in terms of care and behavior, which could influence the profile of these pregnant women and the number of reported cases. In this context, this study aims to analyze the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of pregnant women with gestational syphilis that resulted in newborns with congenital syphilis, as well as the clinical condition and treatment instituted for these newborns, at the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, a tertiary care service located in the city of João Pessoa - Paraíba. The sample for this research was identified through the notification and investigation forms contained in the Hospital Epidemiology Center (NHE) of the service, collected through Google® forms and later organized in Excel® spreadsheets for descriptive analysis. We collected 70 notification forms of congenital syphilis cases from March 2020 to March 2022. Considering that one pregnancy was a twin, data was collected from 69 pregnant women's notification forms. A descriptive analysis of the data showed that the profile of pregnant women affected remained similar to pre-pandemic periods, characterizing syphilis as a disease that mainly affects socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, with less access to education and in urban environments. A significant proportion of pregnant women had prenatal care, showing a possible deficit in care. With regard to the newborns, only a small number showed symptoms, and these were more non-specific. This data is relevant for pointing out the need to improve care services, focusing on the population at risk.