Abstract
Maternal syphilis infection is a common infectious cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis.
Generally, hydrops fetalis is equated with poor prognoses in affected pregnancies.
A 38-year-old G5P2114 presented at 285/7 weeks' gestation with newly diagnosed primary syphilis infection, sonographic findings
of hydrops fetalis, and elevated middle cerebral artery Dopplers concerning for fetal
anemia. Following treatment with intramuscular penicillin, the symptoms of hydrops
fetalis were resolved and our patient delivered a healthy male neonate with no signs
of congenital syphilis at the time of delivery. Routine and early testing for syphilis
is an important component of prenatal care. Though not previously documented, the
secondary findings of suspected fetal syphilis may be able to completely resolve in
utero with penicillin treatment.
Keywords
fetal syphilis - maternal syphilis - hydrops fetalis - penicillin - early testing
