Minnesota syphilis cases leap among young women

Syphilis infections among Minnesota women jumped sharply during the first eight months of last year, with much of the increase coming among women of child-bearing age, including pregnant women.

Female syphilis cases rose to 107 through last August, 63 percent higher than the same period in 2014, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Health.

The numbers prompted the Health Department to issue new pregnancy screening guidelines for health care providers a few weeks ago. They call for all pregnant women to be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, at 28 weeks and then again at delivery, said Krissie Guerard, who manages the agency's sexually transmitted disease section.

Syphilis rates increased for all racial and ethnic groups, including pregnant women who can pass the bacteria to their babies. Three Minnesota infants were born last year to mothers who had syphilis during their pregnancies — the first such cases in four years.

During a pregnancy, syphilis can cause severe health problems in newborns. It can also lead to premature births or stillbirth. If left untreated the sexually transmitted disease can cause blindness, brain damage, heart infections and even death.

The reason for the increase in cases is unclear, but it echoes a national trend, Geurard said, adding, "Once it gets into a community ... it can be passed fairly easily."

Total cases for males in Minnesota fell compared to 2014. Preliminary data show 306 cases among males in the first eight months of 2015 compared to 375 during the same time in 2014.