Congenital syphilis: refining newborn evaluation and management in Shenzhen, southern China.

Introduction: Consistent definitions of congenital syphilis are critical for determining true incidences and setting up targets of elimination. This study aimed to assess the evaluation and management of infants at high risk of congenital syphilis with an antenatal syphilis-screening programme in the Shenzhen SEZ and to develop feasible definitions for the detection of congenital syphilis in China.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of all standardised records of pregnant women with positive syphilis between 2003 and 2007.