Friday, February 17, 2023

More Babies Born with Syphilis

 Annie Oeth authored this press release for UMMC. 

 Congenital syphilis, or infection of a baby from a mother infected with syphilis, is dramatically increasing in Mississippi, according to state data. 

“Mississippi is experiencing a frightening increase in pregnant women with syphilis and in turn, babies born with syphilis,” said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at UMMC. “This is a devastating condition that leads to miscarriage, stillbirth or death about 40 percent of the time if the mother contracts syphilis during pregnancy, depending on the stage of maternal illness. Mississippi has experienced an increase of greater than 900 percent of babies born with syphilis in the past six years.” 

Congenital syphilis can also result in premature birth. 

Nationally, the rate of syphilis has increased by 147 percent since 2016.  



Syphilis is easily cured with penicillin, and thus protecting the baby as well as the mother, he said. A bacterial disease that usually spreads by sexual contact, syphilis symptoms begin with a sore. Syphilis bacteria can remain inactive in the body for years before becoming active again. Untreated syphilis can result in life-threatening damage to the heart, brain and other organs.  

Syphilis can be passed to unborn children through the placenta or during birth. Most babies with congenital syphilis have no symptoms, but some children have a rash that may appear on the soles of their feet and the palms of their hands which can peel later, or present with pneumonia or blood disorders. Later, the syphilis symptoms of blindness, deafness, seizures and neurodevelopmental delays, teeth and skeletal deformities and the collapse of the bridge of the nose are found. 

“Several newborns have died recently due to this entirely preventable problem,” Dobbs said. Other children have been diagnosed with severe neurological development disorders because of untreated syphilis.  

“This is so tragic because this is preventable,” said Dr. Charlotte Hobbs, professor of pediatric infectious diseases. “Penicillin was the first antibiotic synthesized. If mothers receive adequate treatment, the risk of congenital syphilis drops dramatically.” 

Several factors are driving the rising rate of congenital syphilis in Mississippi, he said.  

“Delayed prenatal care and testing is the primary operational reason that women are not getting treatment, followed by delays in accessing antibiotics,” he said. “To combat this public health crisis, our priority must be to engage moms early in pregnancy and ensure testing and treatment. This will require a committed partnership between physicians and clinics, public health, and insurers, primarily Medicaid.” 

Mississippi has the second highest rate of syphilis in the country. About 53 percent of congenital syphilis is reported from southern states, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hobbs said.  

“Many mothers don’t understand that syphilis can kill,” Hobbs said. “Penicillin treatment of infected mothers has 98 percent efficacy in preventing congenital syphilis. Despite evidence-based prevention, congenital syphilis cases nationwide are at a 20-year high.” 

The key to addressing this crisis, the doctors say, is early prenatal care, which improves maternal-infant health, reduces infant mortality and saves money. 

“Structural barriers, primarily the lack of insurance and maternal care deserts, limit access to early maternal care,” Dobbs said. “From my discussions with physicians across the state, uninsured pregnant women must pay for care out-of-pocket prior to Medicaid approval. Although Medicaid will reimburse retroactively, most clinics require either payment or proof of insurance. This costly delay often puts women well beyond the first trimester before receiving care.” 

Testing pregnant women for syphilis would also help mothers get the care needed to prevent the spread of syphilis to their babies, he said.  


20 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Structural barriers"? Like needing someone else to pay? Those kind of barriers?

Maybe these would-be-mothers should consider the sexual barriers presented by their syphilitic dance partners first.

Anonymous said...

Which socioeconomic classes are most effected, and by how much?

Anonymous said...

This entire article phaces the cause of the syphillis crisis on the mother. Not a damn word about the male. Notice I said male,not father or dad.

Anonymous said...

The pro-birth party doesn’t care what happens to babies once they’re born. If they did, they’d expand Medicaid.

It’s not in their best political interest though, apparently.

Anonymous said...

Yes but we want babies to be born no matter how poor their prenatal care or care after birth may be.

Anonymous said...

12:23 -- False Dilemma. There are other possibilities. Just because you don't want to permit more taxpayer provided healthcare doesn't necessarily mean you don't care what happens to babies. I total reject the notion that because we are not going to permit the murder of unborn children that we must provide those mothers and those babies with government subsidized healthcare.

Don Drane said...

"...40 percent of the time if the mother contracts syphilis during pregnancy..."

How many of them HAD syphilis long before they managed to become pregnant. Let me suggest 100%. Nobody 'contracts syphilis during pregnancy'.

Allow me to award the golden dunce-cap to whoever authored this report/article.

Anonymous said...

Who's fault is this? Quick, someone call Jerry Mitchell.

Anonymous said...

The nirvana being promoted of what life would be like with medicaid expanded leads the unsuspecting to conclude that all doctors accept Medicaid which is simply not the case. Nationally 1 in 5 OB/GYNs do not. The progressive war on rural America is having its intended effect. The maternal care deserts in Mississippi overlap with the rural hospitals that can't economically make it because of significant population loss. Now the liberals, er, Democrats (and Barksdalers) want the actual taxpayers to foot the bill for levels of rural medical service as if the (population) losses had never happened.









By the way CJ, journalists aren't licensed nor have to pass any sort of test. Stop peddling YOUR bullshit opinions as facts.

Anonymous said...

"I total reject the notion that because we are not going to permit the murder of unborn children that we must provide those mothers and those babies with government subsidized healthcare."

That's because you're pro-birth, not pro-LIFE!

Bada bing said...

These statistics are nothing to clap about.

Anonymous said...

So to address root cause, more data is needed to be analyzed.
What is breakdown of
1 race
2 mother's age
3 marital status
4 employment status
5 education level

Anonymous said...


That's because you're pro-birth, not pro-LIFE!February 17, 2023 at 3:05 PM

Since 'life' exists both before and after birth, at what point in time is there a difference? Seems you want to split a particular hair. Well, I'll bite....go ahead.

Anonymous said...

7:27 At the time of quickening which is roughly half way through pregnancy (that is what the Catholic Church said not long ago…)

Anonymous said...

@ 2:13 - There is no 'war on rural America'. There is a growing distaste for continued and ramped-up entitlement programs for those who choose not to help pull the wagon.

Ever since LBJ had JFK bumped-off, this nation has rewarded poor choices. It's who we are, ain't it?

Unknown said...

@3:09 - I see what you did there.

Anonymous said...

5:18 has been saying the same thing I have for years. Our “issues” began after the give away programs began. It destroyed the two parent family system that was in place and was, and still is very much needed. 11:35 understands it also.

Anonymous said...

Murder capital of the US, (not the world but it feels like it) more STD’s than you can shake a stick at and what does it tell you when billboards advertise to get checked? This is a cultural issue and for the liberals to not say it is a travesty.

Anonymous said...

Health Department and UMMC staff are always anxious to opine, yet they offer nothing regarding culture, demographics, marital status or number of partners.

Is it WOKE to exclude those from the conversation or simply off limits?

Anonymous said...

@12:14 - you may not realize this, but we are overwhelmingly a Republican state. Not sure how you’re blaming the state’s problems on the people who don’t have any control to do anything.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.