Rapid Surge in Syphilis Cases Among Mississippi's Newborns

The number of newborn babies in Mississippi hospitalized with congenital syphilis (CS) has increased by over 1,000% in just six years, with cases rising from 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022. Maternal drug use, particularly involving cannabis and cocaine, is driving the increase, as the rate of mothers using drugs while pregnant is the highest it's been since 2017. Mississippi also lacks sufficient pre-pregnancy screening, contributing to missed opportunities for early detection and treatment. CS raises the risk of various health complications for infants, including bone damage, anemia, jaundice, nerve damage, and meningitis. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, but it still results in the death of about 40% of affected babies.