Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study

Background: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ms N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH, Roger W Rochat, MD, Mary L Kamb, MD, Prasad Turlapati, MD, Marleen Temmerman, MD, Nathalie Broutet, MD, Lori M Newman, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-08-01
Series:The Lancet Global Health
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X16301358
_version_ 1818847281975132160
author Ms N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH
Roger W Rochat, MD
Mary L Kamb, MD
Prasad Turlapati, MD
Marleen Temmerman, MD
Nathalie Broutet, MD
Lori M Newman, MD
author_facet Ms N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH
Roger W Rochat, MD
Mary L Kamb, MD
Prasad Turlapati, MD
Marleen Temmerman, MD
Nathalie Broutet, MD
Lori M Newman, MD
author_sort Ms N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH
collection DOAJ
description Background: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country data inputs, WHO estimated that 1·4 million maternal syphilis infections caused 520 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes. To assess progress, we updated the 2008 estimates and estimated the 2012 global prevalence and cases of maternal and congenital syphilis. Methods: We used a health systems model approved by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. WHO and UN databases provided inputs on livebirths, antenatal care coverage, and syphilis testing, seropositivity, and treatment in antenatal care. For 2012 estimates, we used data collected between 2009 and 2012. We updated the 2008 estimates using data collected between 2000 and 2008, compared these with 2012 estimates using data collected between 2009 and 2012, and performed subanalyses to validate results. Findings: In 2012, an estimated 930 000 maternal syphilis infections caused 350 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes including 143 000 early fetal deaths and stillbirths, 62 000 neonatal deaths, 44 000 preterm or low weight births, and 102 000 infected infants worldwide. Nearly 80% of adverse outcomes (274 000) occurred in women who received antenatal care at least once. Comparing the updated 2008 estimates with the 2012 estimates, maternal syphilis decreased by 38% (from 1 488 394 cases in 2008 to 927 936 cases in 2012) and congenital syphilis decreased by 39% (from 576 784 to 350 915). India represented 65% of the decrease. Analysis excluding India still showed an 18% decrease in maternal and congenital cases of syphilis worldwide. Interpretation: Maternal and congenital syphilis decreased worldwide from 2008 to 2012, which suggests progress towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Nonetheless, maternal syphilis caused substantial adverse pregnancy outcomes, even in women receiving antenatal care. Improved access to quality antenatal care, including syphilis testing and treatment, and robust data are all important for achieving the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Funding: The UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction in WHO, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
first_indexed 2024-12-19T05:58:58Z
format Article
id doaj.art-797607e710314912ac13b6c2404e11a5
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2214-109X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-19T05:58:58Z
publishDate 2016-08-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series The Lancet Global Health
spelling doaj.art-797607e710314912ac13b6c2404e11a52022-12-21T20:33:21ZengElsevierThe Lancet Global Health2214-109X2016-08-0148e525e53310.1016/S2214-109X(16)30135-8Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling studyMs N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH0Roger W Rochat, MD1Mary L Kamb, MD2Prasad Turlapati, MD3Marleen Temmerman, MD4Nathalie Broutet, MD5Lori M Newman, MD6Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandEmory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Hubert Department of Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USACenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USAIndian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National AIDS Control Program, New Delhi, IndiaDepartment of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandDepartment of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandDepartment of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandBackground: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country data inputs, WHO estimated that 1·4 million maternal syphilis infections caused 520 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes. To assess progress, we updated the 2008 estimates and estimated the 2012 global prevalence and cases of maternal and congenital syphilis. Methods: We used a health systems model approved by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. WHO and UN databases provided inputs on livebirths, antenatal care coverage, and syphilis testing, seropositivity, and treatment in antenatal care. For 2012 estimates, we used data collected between 2009 and 2012. We updated the 2008 estimates using data collected between 2000 and 2008, compared these with 2012 estimates using data collected between 2009 and 2012, and performed subanalyses to validate results. Findings: In 2012, an estimated 930 000 maternal syphilis infections caused 350 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes including 143 000 early fetal deaths and stillbirths, 62 000 neonatal deaths, 44 000 preterm or low weight births, and 102 000 infected infants worldwide. Nearly 80% of adverse outcomes (274 000) occurred in women who received antenatal care at least once. Comparing the updated 2008 estimates with the 2012 estimates, maternal syphilis decreased by 38% (from 1 488 394 cases in 2008 to 927 936 cases in 2012) and congenital syphilis decreased by 39% (from 576 784 to 350 915). India represented 65% of the decrease. Analysis excluding India still showed an 18% decrease in maternal and congenital cases of syphilis worldwide. Interpretation: Maternal and congenital syphilis decreased worldwide from 2008 to 2012, which suggests progress towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Nonetheless, maternal syphilis caused substantial adverse pregnancy outcomes, even in women receiving antenatal care. Improved access to quality antenatal care, including syphilis testing and treatment, and robust data are all important for achieving the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Funding: The UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction in WHO, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X16301358
spellingShingle Ms N Saman Wijesooriya, MPH
Roger W Rochat, MD
Mary L Kamb, MD
Prasad Turlapati, MD
Marleen Temmerman, MD
Nathalie Broutet, MD
Lori M Newman, MD
Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
The Lancet Global Health
title Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
title_full Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
title_fullStr Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
title_full_unstemmed Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
title_short Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study
title_sort global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012 a health systems modelling study
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X16301358
work_keys_str_mv AT msnsamanwijesooriyamph globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT rogerwrochatmd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT marylkambmd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT prasadturlapatimd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT marleentemmermanmd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT nathaliebroutetmd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy
AT lorimnewmanmd globalburdenofmaternalandcongenitalsyphilisin2008and2012ahealthsystemsmodellingstudy