Congenital syphilis and treatment refusal by pregnant women: a bioethical and legal analysis

Abstract Despite public policies, congenital syphilis infection remains a reality in the health system routine. Moreover, its epidemiological rates continue to be relevant and worrisome despite widespread effective preventive methods, highly cost-effective treatments available Unified Health System, high-coverage pre-natal care. A major obstacle eradicating this scenario is treatment refusal by progenitor. Important questions regarding medical responsibility relation refusal, pregnant woman’s towards unborn child, legal implications involved arise from context. This article seeks answer these their bioethical repercussions.