Temporal trends in congenital syphilis incidence per 1000 live births in the Americas

Abstract

Congenital syphilis (CS) is a significant infectious condition associated with a high social and economic burden. In the Americas, the epidemiological situation remains concerning, with varying patterns across countries. Our study evaluated temporal trends in CS incidence per 1000 live births in countries across the Americas between 2009 and 2021. An ecological study was conducted using data from the Pan American Health Organization and analyzed via the Joinpoint Regression Program and Project R. Sixteen countries were included, showing an average annual increase of 6.42% in CS incidence. Canada showed a continuous downward trend, while Cuba and Panama showed little change. Brazil, Paraguay, and Panama recorded the highest average incidence rates, while the other countries displayed heterogeneous temporal patterns, with periods of increase, decrease, and stabilization. These results highlight significant epidemiological inequalities and underline the need for targeted strategies for CS prevention, surveillance, and control in the Americas.