Testing Umbilical Cords for Funisitis due to Treponema pallidum Infection in Bolivia
Author Information
Author(s): Jeannette Guarner, Karen Southwick, Patricia Greer, Jeanine Bartlett, Martha Fears, Ana Santander, Stanley Blanco, Victoria Pope, William Levine, Sherif Zaki
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
To establish the frequency of necrotizing funisitis in congenital syphilis.
Conclusion
Histologic abnormalities were found in 42% of umbilical cords from infants of mothers with syphilis, with a strong association between T. pallidum presence and marked inflammation.
Supporting Evidence
- 42% of umbilical cords from infants of mothers with syphilis showed histologic abnormalities.
- Marked funisitis was associated with the presence of T. pallidum.
- Only 9% of umbilical cords from mothers without syphilis showed mild funisitis.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at umbilical cords from babies to see if their moms had syphilis, and they found that many had signs of infection.
Methodology
A prospective descriptive study testing umbilical cords of infants born to mothers with syphilis and comparing them to controls.
Limitations
The study may be limited by the small number of stillborn infants and incomplete medical records.
Participant Demographics
Women delivering in seven hospitals in Bolivia from June to November 1996.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.04
Confidence Interval
95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-405.7
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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