Clinical definition:
Multi-organ infection caused by T. pallidum. Congenital infection is acquired by vertical transmission via the transplacental route during pregnancy. Signs that may be present at birth or within the first 3 months of life include jaundice, pallor, oedema, generalised erythematous maculopapular rash that may desquamate, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, rhinitis, pseudoparalysis of one or more limbs. Acquired syphilis is transmitted via sexual contact including sexual abuse. For treatment of syphilis in pregnant adolescents, refer to separate guidelines.
Neonate | ||||||
| Preferred antibiotic choice | ||||||
| Drug | Formulation | Dosage | Duration | |||
| For patients with symptomatic infection: Benzylpenicillin (IV)A | Powder for injection: 600 mg (= 1 million IU); 3 g (= 5 million IU) (sodium or potassium salt) in vial. | o First week of life (7 days or less): 50 000 units/kg/dose 12 hourly o 8 – 28 days: 50 000 units/kg/dose 8 hourly | 10 days | |||
| For patients with asymptomatic infection & mother seropositive or result unknown & mother has not been treated or was only partially treated during pregnancy: Benzathine benzylpenicillin (IM)A | Powder for injection: 900 mg benzylpenicillin (= 1.2 million IU) in 5- mL vial; 1.44 g benzylpenicillin (= 2.4 million IU) in 5- mL vial. | 50,000 units/kg | Single dose | |||
| Alternative antibiotic choice(s) | ||||||
| Cefotaxime (IV) | Powder for injection: 250 or 500 mg per vial (as sodium salt) | o First week of life (7 days or less): 50 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly o 8-20 days: 50 mg/kg/dose 8 hourly o 21 days & older: 50 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly | 10 days | |||
Infant, Child & Adolescent | ||||||
| Preferred antibiotic choice for delayed diagnosis of congenital syphilis | ||||||
| Drug | Formulation | Dosage | Duration | |||
| Benzylpenicillin (IV)A | Powder for injection: 600 mg (= 1 million IU); 3 g (= 5 million IU) (sodium or potassium salt) in vial. | 50,000 units/kg/dose 6 hourly, maximum dose 5 million IU/kg/dose 6 hourly | 10 days | |||
| Alternative antibiotic choice(s) | ||||||
| Ceftriaxone (IV) | Powder for injection: 250 mg; 1 g (as sodium salt) in vial | 50 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly, maximum dose 2 g 12 hourly | 10 days | |||
| For acquired, primary, or secondary syphilis infection (not congenital syphilis) | ||||||
| Benzathine benzylpenicillin (IM)A | Powder for injection: 900 mg benzylpenicillin (= 1.2 million IU) in 5- mL vial; 1.44 g benzylpenicillin (= 2.4 million IU) in 5- mL vial. | 50,000 units/kg/dose, maximum dose 2.4 million units | 3 doses at 1-week intervals | |||
| Alternative antibiotic choice(s) or for confirmed penicillin allergy | ||||||
| Children/adolescents <12 years of age: Amoxicillin (PO) PLUS Probenecid (PO) | Amoxicillin- Powder for oral liquid: 125 mg (as trihydrate)/5 mL, 250 mg (as trihydrate)/5 mL; solid oral dosage form: 250 mg, 500 mg (as trihydrate) | 1 g 8 hourly | Early syphilis: 14 days Late/latent syphilis: 28 days | |||
| Probenicid- Tablets: 500 mg (not included in WHO MLEM) | 250 mg 8 hourly | |||||
| Adolescents 12 years & older: Doxycycline (PO) | Oral liquid: 25 mg/5 mL, 50 mg/5ml (anhydrous); solid oral dosage form: 50 mg, 100 mg (as hyclate) | 100 mg 12 hourly | Early syphilis: 14 days Late/latent syphilis: 28 days | |||
A. If benzylpenicillin (IV) or benzathine benzylpenicillin (IM) is not available, seek expert opinion on alternative therapies (The efficacy of cefotaxime/ceftriaxone is uncertain.).
Principles of Stewardship:
- For congenital syphilis, a complete 10-day course is required. If treatment is interrupted by 1 day (or longer), restart the full 10-day course of treatment.
- Infants treated for congenital syphilis should be followed-up 3-monthly after initial treatment to repeat non-treponemal serological testing until the test becomes non-reactive. If the decrease in serological titre is less than 4-fold, the course of treatment should be repeated.
Other Notes:
- Acquired syphilis in a child (not sexually active) requires investigation for child abuse.
- Investigate and treat both parents, if necessary and if not already diagnosed and treated.