Seroprevalence of syphilis in pregnant women in San Luis Potosi.

Objective. To determine the seroprevalence of syphilis in pregnant women. Methods. A seroepiderniologic survey was conducted in 1 857 women giving birth at a general hospital in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Results. Five women (0.27%) were diagnosed with syphilis at the time of delivery. Maternal factors associated with a greater likelihood of syphilis included older age, a higher number of pregnancies and living out of wedlock. Conclusions. The number of new borns exposed to syphilis during pregnancy in San Luis Potosi is underestimated. The results of this study support the need to identify syphilis in infected mothers at the time of delivery.