The number of children with congenital syphilis, which is transmitted from mother to child from pregnant women infected with syphilis, was 37 last year, the highest since statistics began using the current method, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. I understand this in summary.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, among the cases of sexually transmitted syphilis reported in the past year, 37 children were diagnosed with ``congenital syphilis'', which is transmitted from mother to fetus from pregnant women. This is the highest number since statistics began to be collected using the current method in 1999.
For the past five years, the number has been around 20, which is a significant increase.
Children with congenital syphilis may develop symptoms such as skin abnormalities and hearing loss, and may have developmental delays. In response to the rapid increase in congenital syphilis, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology issued a warning last month.
The appeal states that the number of pregnant women infected with syphilis is rapidly increasing, and states, ``To protect yourself, your partner, and your unborn baby from syphilis infection, it is important that you do not become infected with syphilis before you become pregnant.'' We urge both men and women to get tested if they engage in risky sexual behavior, such as not using a condom.
Professor Takashi Kawana of the Nihon University School of Medicine, who is an expert on sexually transmitted diseases, said, ``As syphilis infection continues to spread, it is thought that some women are unaware that they are infected, and there is concern that congenital syphilis cases will further increase if they become pregnant without realizing they are infected.'' I want both men and women to actively undergo testing, and it is important to be treated for syphilis before becoming pregnant."