GESTATIONAL SYPHILIS AND ITS SOCIAL AND CLINICAL DETERMINANTS: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VERTICAL TRANSMISSION AND PERINATAL OUTCOME

Resumen

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum, transmitted mainly through sexual contact and via vertical transmission, and it presents different clinical stages. Despite the availability of simple serological diagnosis and effective treatment during prenatal care through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), gestational syphilis persists due to weaknesses in Brazilian health services. Objective: This study aimed to present the epidemiological profile of gestational syphilis and the risk factors associated with infection during pregnancy. Method: Articles were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: intervention studies, randomized studies, multicenter cohort studies, systematic reviews, full-text articles available in Portuguese and English, published between 2016 and 2025, with free access, and addressing the theme “Syphilis infection in pregnant women and its implications for perinatal outcomes.” Abstracts, theses, dissertations, and monographs were excluded. Results/Discussion: Eight articles were included in the construction of this literature review, which emphasized that the persistence of gestational syphilis is associated with social and healthcare-related factors, such as low educational level, socioeconomic vulnerability, inadequate prenatal care, late diagnosis, and failures in the treatment of both the pregnant woman and her sexual partner, hindering the prevention of vertical transmission. Final Considerations: The persistence of gestational and congenital syphilis is related to social determinants and shortcomings in prenatal care, including low educational level, socioeconomic vulnerability, late initiation of follow-up, insufficient number of consultations, and inadequate treatment of the pregnant woman and her partner, highlighting inequalities in access to information and health services.