Congenital syphilis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Congenital infections Main Page
Congenital syphilis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Congenital Syphilis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Congenital syphilis physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Congenital syphilis physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Congenital syphilis physical examination
CDC on Congenital syphilis physical examination
Congenital syphilis physical examination in the news
Blogs on Congenital syphilis physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating Congenital syphilis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Congenital syphilis physical examination

Manifestations of congenital syphilis

Skin

• Early rash - small blisters on the palms and soles
• Later rash - copper-colored, flat or bumpy rash on the face, palms, and soles

Head

• Frontal bossing
• Poorly developed maxillae

Eyes

• Corneal clouding
• Interstitial keratitis (IK), an inflamation of the cornea which can lead to corneal scarring and potentially blindness
• Anemia
• Jaundice

Ears

• Deafness

Nose

• Snuffles, the name given to rhinitis in this situation. When chronic, this can lead to saddle nose deformity.
• Rhagades, linear scars at the angles of the mouth and nose result from bacterial infection of skin lesions

Throat

Shown below is an image of Hutchinson's teeth

• Hutchinson's Triad, a set of symptoms consisting of deafness, Hutchinson's teeth (centrally notched, widely-spaced peg-shaped upper central incisors), and interstitial keratitis (IK), an inflamation of the cornea which can lead to corneal scarring and potentially blindness
• Mulberry molars (sixth year molars with multiple poorly developed cusps)

Abdomen

• Enlarged liver
• Enlarged spleen

Extremities

• Sabre shins: Saber shin is a sharp-edged anteriorly convex tibia.
• Lymph node enlargement
• pseudoparalysis