Sífilis em gestantes no norte do Brasil: aspectos epidemiológicos no período de 2014 e 2023

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has different stages and clinical manifestations and is considered a serious public health problem, despite being easily diagnosed and treated. It can also occur during pregnancy, potentially leading to vertical transmission. Objective: To outline the epidemiological profile of syphilis in pregnant women in northern Brazil from 2014 to 2023. Method: Epidemiological data on syphilis in pregnant women in the northern region were collected from the database of the Information Technology Department of the Department of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (DATHI) system, spanning a 10-year period. The data were recorded using the following variables: age group, education level, race/color, gestational age, clinical classification, and treatment. The data were then compared with the literature to analyze the epidemiological pattern. Results: Between 2014 and 2023, there were 58,114 cases of syphilis recorded in pregnant women in the North (9.9% of national cases), making it the second-to-last most affected region. There were progressive annual increases, with 2023 being the year with the highest number of cases (8,800). The most affected group was those aged 20-29 (52.6%). The overall level of education was low, with 21.4% without completing elementary school, and the race/color of the majority was brown (79.3%). Most diagnoses occurred in the third trimester of pregnancy (37.3%). The predominant stage was primary syphilis (41.7%), but with an increase in tertiary syphilis, and treatment in most cases was with penicillin (91.9%). Conclusion: The increase in the number of gestational syphilis cases and their late identification in the period analyzed leads to the hypothesis of failure in prenatal care, and it shows the need for improvements in control and prevention measures, as well as for more effective sex education policies.