Congenital syphilis - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2014

Key facts

• In 2014, 69 congenital syphilis cases were reported in 23 EU/EEA Member States, an overall rate of 2.3 cases per 100 000 live births. 
• The trend for reported congenital syphilis cases has remained stable in recent years, but some countries reported small increases in reported cases compared with 2013.
• It is suspected that there is considerable underreporting: seven countries did not contribute to the reporting of congenital syphilis, and a further 13 reported zero cases in 2014.
• The low rates of congenital syphilis and decreasing rates of reported syphilis among women suggest that most Member States have programmes that aim at the elimination of congenital syphilis. Better indicator data are needed, however, to assess the effectiveness of antenatal screening programmes in all EU/EEA countries.

Methods

Click here for a detailed description of the methods used to produce this annual report

In 2014, the majority of countries reported data using EU case definitions. Two countries reported that they used national case definitions; three countries did not report which case definition they used. All reporting countries have comprehensive surveillance systems for congenital syphilis (Annex). Reporting of congenital syphilis infection was compulsory in all countries except the United Kingdom. Different case definitions were reported as being used across Europe: eight countries reported using 2008 and 2012 EU case definitions, two countries reported using the 2002 EU case definition, two countries reported using other case definitions, and three countries did not specify the case definition in use.

Please note that in all analyses, cases are categorised according to the date of diagnosis.

- See more at: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/syphilis/Pages/Annual-Epidemiolog…