Cases of syphilis among newborn babies in Hawaii have increased dramatically in recent years, and doctors confirm some of them are on the Big Island.
“We’ve had several cases of congenital syphilis here,” said Hilo Medical Center’s Dr. Allison Flaim, who specializes in family medicine and obstetrics. “To the unborn child, it’s very dangerous. It can lead to congenital defects all the way up to stillbirth and death.”
Statewide between 2000 and 2019, cases of congenital syphilis ranged from 0-4 but in 2020 rose to 12.
In 2021, that number jumped to 20, with preliminary Department of Health data showing there have been at least 22 cases in 2022.
While the DOH declined to provide the total number of congenital syphilis cases in Hawaii County, citing “confidentiality concerns,” the Kona-based Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies nonprofit coalition stated it also is noticing an increase in cases.
“Screening is part of routine prenatal care,” said Clinical Services Director Kari Wheeling. “In general, we’re screening more people, so we are seeing more.”
The coalition stressed the importance of testing not only mothers, but their partners as well.
“It’s wonderful that we can catch mothers, but we also need to catch the men, because you can treat it. But once it’s treated, it doesn’t mean you can’t get reinfected,” Wheeling said. “So, it’s just as important to screen men as it is women.”
The DOH has set new recommendations for screenings including once as early as possible during the first trimester, at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation, and at the time of delivery.
“Syphilis cases have been increasing globally, nationally and in Hawaii,” DOH representatives said in an email. “In Hawaii, the overwhelming majority of cases are in males.”
Cases among men statewide increased sevenfold from 21 cases in 2012 to 171 cases in 2021.
Women reported just two or fewer cases of primary or secondary syphilis between 2012 and 2013. But that number also jumped sevenfold from 10 total cases in 2016 to 82 cases in 2021.
As for the cause of the potential increase, the DOH was uncertain, but stated the COVID-19 pandemic might have played a role.
“Cases diagnosed and reported among pregnant females, nonpregnant females, and males all increased in 2020,” DOH representatives said via email. “Routine syphilis screening likely decreased in 2020 due to COVID-related shutdowns, but individuals testing due to significant symptoms or as part of prenatal care may have been less impacted.”
Screening, as well as treatment, is a simple and relatively low-risk process for individuals.
“It is highly preventable and easily treatable,” Flaim said of syphilis. “For screening, it’s a blood test, and the treatment is penicillin.”
Prenatal care, as well as testing and treatment for syphilis, are available from medical providers throughout the island including HMC, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, and Hawaii Island Community Health Center, among others.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.