It is recommended that all pregnant women be tested for syphilis as part of their routine prenatal care. Testing helps to ensure that pregnant women with a syphilis infection receive treatment early to help prevent congenital syphilis. Syphilis screening should occur in the first trimester or at the first prenatal visit. Testing should be repeated in the third trimester and at delivery for women at risk of infection or reinfection. A blood test is typically used to screen for syphilis, but a swab of the infected area may also be taken and tested.
Syphilis testing is free and confidential. Saskatchewan currently has an opt-out policy for syphilis testing during pregnancy. This means that the syphilis test is a part of routine prenatal testing, and the pregnant woman being offered the test has the option to decline. With the opt-out strategy, healthcare providers should make sure that the purpose, risks, and benefits of the test are explained, along with the right to refuse the test.
For more information, see the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection (STBBI) Testing Policy.
During pregnancy, it is important to treat any syphilis infection as soon as possible. If a pregnant woman’s syphilis infection is treated successfully, the outcome for the baby is excellent. Successful treatment for a pregnant woman involves all of the following:
Syphilis can only be cured when all required antibiotic doses are given. This is usually one or three doses over three weeks. It is important to not engage in sexual activity until all doses of penicillin G have been given.
A person successfully treated for syphilis can become reinfected. It is important to practice safer sex to reduce the risk of syphilis infection and reinfection. This includes:
If a pregnant woman becomes reinfected with syphilis, it is important for them to receive treatment as soon as possible to prevent congenital syphilis.
Without syphilis treatment, the outcomes can be severe for both the mother and baby. Without treatment of the mother to prevent syphilis being passed to the baby, possible outcomes include:
Congenital syphilis can also cause severe consequences for the child’s health and development, including damage to:
Posters
Poster, 2023
Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This poster highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca,which outlines information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.
Poster, 2019
Rates of syphilis have significantly increased in Saskatchewan in the past several years, with areas of the province issuing syphilis alerts and outbreak notices. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This poster highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.
Information Cards
Information Card, 2023
Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This information card highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis, and outlines the stages and associated symptoms of syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca, which includes further information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.
Information Card, 2021
Rates of syphilis have dramatically increased in Saskatchewan in recent years. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This information card highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is preventable and curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.
Reports
Report, Updated 2026
Recognizing the importance of understanding syphilis in the context of pregnancy, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute conducted a review of the literature in this area. The review covers findings and recommendations on congenital syphilis transmission, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as well as information about short- and long-term outcomes of congenital syphilis.
Links