Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

USPSTF Issues Final A-Grade Recommendation for Universal Syphilis Screening in Pregnancy

The guidance emphasizes early and repeat testing to combat a tenfold rise in congenital syphilis over the past decade, while addressing systemic barriers to care.

Image
Image

Overview

  • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has finalized its A-grade recommendation for universal syphilis screening in all pregnant individuals, prioritizing early detection and repeat testing if initial screening is missed.
  • Congenital syphilis cases in the U.S. have surged tenfold since 2012, with 3,700 cases reported in 2022 and rates climbing to 105.9 per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to CDC data.
  • Untreated maternal syphilis can lead to severe outcomes, including stillbirth, neonatal mortality, low birth weight, and multisystem organ damage in newborns, highlighting the critical importance of timely screening and treatment.
  • The USPSTF recommendation reaffirms its 2018 guidance and is supported by evidence advocating for two-step serologic testing to reduce false positives and improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • Barriers such as limited access to prenatal care, clinician bias, and socioeconomic disparities disproportionately affect Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Alaskan Native populations, necessitating systemic public health interventions.