Diagnostic Value of Long Bone X-Ray Photograph on Asymptomatic Congenital Syphilis in Newborns / 实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the incidence of long bone lesions and clinical characteristic in early newborn with asymptomatic congenital syphilis. Methods The syphilis antibody in 26 infants with asymptomatic congenital syphilis who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from April 2001 to May 2004 were detected,and the clinical feature and X-ray features were analyzed.Results Twenty-six infants and their mothers all had the antibody positive of syphilis.Treponemal antibody titer were 4 times higher than their mothers in the infants blood serum.Their general conditions showed normal and had no symptoms when they were hospita-(lized).Then,there were 24 cases (92%) with positive physical signs and /or abnormal findings on the liver function tests and blood routine and long-bone radiographs.Long-bone radiographs were abnormal for approximately 38%(10 of 26)of asymptomatic newborns with congenital syphilis.Metaphysitis was shown and looked like sandwich biscuit in X-ray photograph.Conclusions Asymptomatic congenital syphilis has no symptoms in the early stage.Bone X-ray photograph should be included in the assessment of newborns with a positive serology.Further support is needed in the diagnosis and treatment of early newborns with asymptomatic congenital syphilis.