Identifying Congenital Syphilis Cases through a Birth Registry Match

Introduction In 2012, Louisiana’s case rate for congenital syphilis was 49.2 cases per 100,000 live births, the highest in the nation and over six times the national average1. In Louisiana, case investigations for infants perinatally exposed to syphilis are initiated through two primary methods: SHP may receive a positive syphilis test on an infant or a syphilis-infected woman may be contacted and identified by Partner Services during pregnancy. This identification process is similar to perinatal HIV surveillance in Louisiana with one major exception: for perinatal HIV surveillance an annual birth match is completed. Through this match women known to be HIV-infected are matched to women who gave birth during the previous year. Over 90% of perinatal HIV exposures are identified prior to this match, but the match ensures that Louisiana’s HIV surveillance system identifies all infants perinatally exposed to HIV.