Health Department News

The number of babies born with syphilis in Montana is increasing at an alarming rate. More robust and innovative syphilis testing and treatment strategies can reduce the number of babies born with syphilis and improve health during pregnancy.

In 2023, 19 Montana babies were born with syphilis, which is over nine times the number of cases in 2020. This increase reflects and closely follows the rise of syphilis among women of reproductive age (aged 15-44 years).

Women can experience illness and pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy. Miscarriage, stillbirth, severe lifelong medical issues, and even newborn death can result from syphilis infection during pregnancy. Timely testing and treatment of pregnant women is critical to preventing congenital syphilis, but nearly half of women who had a baby with syphilis did not get prenatal care.

For more information, contact the Roosevelt County Health Department at 406653-6223.