Date: March 31, 2026
Attention: All Providers
Syphilis rates are rising at an alarming rate in Texas, surpassing the national average. To support providers in responding to this growing public health concern, Texas Children’s Health Plan has released a new educational video featuring our Associate Medical Director, Dr. Sophia Burns. The video highlights current trends, screening requirements, and best practices for preventing congenital syphilis through early detection and timely treatment.
Why This Matters:
Rates of congenital syphilis continue to rise year over year in Texas and nationally. State data through 2022 show that the rate of increase in Texas is higher than the national average. Early detection and treatment during pregnancy are critical to prevent severe maternal and fetal outcomes.
Congenital syphilis can lead to stillbirth, neonatal death, and severe infant complications. Timely screening and treatment during pregnancy are essential to prevention. Infants with reactive serologic tests for syphilis require follow-up after hospital discharge. This follow-up includes interval serologic tests, neurologic monitoring, and surveillance of development, growth, hearing and vision.
What Providers Can Do:
- Early Referral: Once a member becomes pregnant, ensure timely referral to an OB/GYN for prenatal care. Early engagement with a prenatal care physician is critical for screening and treatment.
- Screening Awareness: Consider syphilis risk factors during routine visits and encourage members to request screening.
- Educate and Engage: Encourage patients to advocate for their health, request syphilis screening, and adhere to treatment and follow-up testing. Discuss the importance of partner treatment to prevent reinfection.
- Pediatric Follow-up: Ensure infants with reactive serology receive recommended follow-up testing and developmental surveillance per evidence-based guidelines.
- Support Access to Care: Connect patients with TCHP resources for case management, transportation, and social support to overcome barriers to care.
- Expert Support: A statewide consultation hotline is available for both PCPs caring for infants with possible congenital syphilis and OB providers managing pregnant women with syphilis. The hotline offers access to expert clinical guidance and referrals to regional resources, with callers able to speak directly with a nurse or physician consultant for case-specific support.
- Hotline: 833-62-END-CS (833-623-6327)
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (CT)
Call to Action:
- Screening is required by Texas law at the first prenatal visit, during the third trimester, and at delivery.
- Pediatricians should refer to evidence based clinical guidance for management and surveillance of infants treated for congenital syphilis and those with reactive serology for syphilis. See resources below.
- Refer patients at risk or diagnosed with syphilis to TCHP’s Maternal Child Case Management Program for support and coordination of care. Click here to refer your patient now.
- Utilize hotline and DSHS training resources, such as the Congenital Syphilis Prevention training module.
Resources Available:
These links lead to external websites for additional guidance and best practices.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Texas Health & Human Services (HHS)
Federal & National Clinical Guidelines
TCHP Resources
Together, we can work to reduce congenital syphilis and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Thank you for your partnership.
If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.org.
For access to all provider alerts www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.
