Seroreversion of Treponemal Tests in Infants Meeting Canadian Surveillance Criteria for Confirmed Early Congenital Syphilis

Few data exist on the serologic outcome of treponemal tests in congenital syphilis. A chart review was conducted on all confirmed early congenital syphilis cases in Edmonton, Canada, from 2005-2010. Of the 16 cases identified, 11 (69%) infants seroreverted their treponemal tests by 18 months. Cases that did not serorevert their treponemal tests were statistically more likely to have delayed treatment and to have higher maternal rapid plasma reagin titers at birth. Our data suggest that the majority of early congenital syphilis cases will serorevert their treponemal tests by 18 months.