Syphilis cases in newborns have "skyrocketed at a heartbreaking rate," CDC reports
CBSN
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is bringing attention to an alarming increase in babies born with syphilis over the past decade.
According to the report, published Tuesday, more than 3,700 babies in the U.S. were born with syphilis in 2022 — more than 10 times the number in 2012. The 2022 case count is the largest in more than 30 years, CDC officials said.
"The congenital syphilis crisis in the United States has skyrocketed at a heartbreaking rate," said CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry in a news release. "New actions are needed to prevent more family tragedies. We're calling on healthcare providers, public health systems, and communities to take additional steps to connect mothers and babies with the care they need."
