OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for maternal and perinatal syphilis infections in Guangzhou.

METHODSWe collected the data of pregnant women with perinatal syphilis infections from the Obstetrics Critical Care Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University during the period from January, 2009 to April, 2013.

RESULTSin the 64 253 pregnant women surveyed, the mean annual incidence of syphilis during pregnancy was 0.255% within the surveyed period. In women with syphilis during pregnancy, those receiving normal anti-syphilis treatment had a significantly lower rate of neonatal serological syphilis positivity and those without treatment (55.81% vs 100%); the serological syphilis positivity rates differed significantly between neonates with parental syphilis infection and those without (54.348% vs 20%). Of the women with syphilis during pregnancy, 82.14% reported syphilis of the spouse, 80.36% were floating population, and 78.57% had previous multiple pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of syphilis during pregnancy shows a linear growth in the 5 past years in Guangzhou. Maternal syphilis during pregnancy without proper anti-syphilis treatment and vertical transmission are the most important risk factors for neonatal syphilis. A syphilis spouse, floating population, and multiple pregnancies all contribute to neonatal syphilis.