Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Dec;20(6):501-509.
doi: 10.1007/s40272-018-0310-4.

Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women: Integrating Screening and Treatment into Prenatal Care

Harold J Lochner 3rd  1 , Nizar F Maraqa  2
Affiliations
Review

Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women: Integrating Screening and Treatment into Prenatal Care

Harold J Lochner 3rd et al. Paediatr Drugs. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis continue to be significant burdens to the health of pregnant women and their children despite easy and effective guidance for screening and treatment. Specific guidelines exist for screening for these infections as well as treatment and follow-up. In this article, we review the epidemiology of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Testing methodology is also reviewed as molecular-based techniques have replaced culture as the current gold standard tests of choice for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The nontreponemal and treponemal serologic diagnostic and screening approach to syphilis has undergone less change. Treatment for gonorrhea includes a one-time dose of parenteral ceftriaxone and oral azithromycin. This treatment regimen not only addresses the possible gonococcal resistance seen in recent years but also treats chlamydia, which may present similarly or co-infect the same patient. Syphilis treatment in both pregnant women and their infected neonates remains with penicillin G formulations. It is crucial to establish close follow-up evaluation for the pregnant woman infected with these sexually transmitted infections to ensure adequate treatment and help prevent perinatal spread of the infection.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2005 Jan;16(1):45-51 - PubMed
    1. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Jul 17;147(2):128-34 - PubMed
    1. JAMA. 2004 May 12;291(18):2229-36 - PubMed
    1. Ann Fam Med. 2005 May-Jun;3(3):263-7 - PubMed
    1. Sex Transm Infect. 2002 Apr;78(2):90-2 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources