Last update July 17, 2023

Maternal Syphilis, Lues

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Infectious disease transmitted sexually or congenitally through the placenta.

The spirochete Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis, is not transmitted through breast milk. (Red Book 2021-24 p.731, Lawrence 2016 p463, Lanari 2012)

Avoid contact with skin lesions of secondary syphilis and stop breastfeeding if the lesions are in the chest area until they heal. (Lawrence 2016 p463, OWH 2015, Lanari 2012).

Normally, 24 hours after starting treatment with penicillin, no spirochetes are found in the lesions (Red Book 2021-24 p.743). Monitor the infant and administer treatment if necessary.

In the case of congenital syphilis, mother and newborn should be treated with penicillin. Breastfeeding is not contraindicated. The treatment of syphilis, penicillin or, in the case of allergy to penicillin, tetracycline or doxycycline, is compatible with breastfeeding.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Doxycycline (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Penicillin G (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Penicillin G Benzathine (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Penicillin G Procaine (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Tetracycline (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

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References

  1. (Red Book). AAP. Kimberlin DW, Barnett ED, , Lynfield R, Sawyer MH eds. Red Book: 2021-2024. Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 32th ed. Elk Grove Village, - 2021
  2. Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding. A guide for the medical profession. Eighth Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016
  3. OWH-Oficina para la salud de la mujer. Infecciones de transmisión sexual, embarazo y lactancia materna. Folleto informativo. 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. OWH-Office on Women's Health. Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding. Fact Sheet. 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Lanari M, Sogno Valin P, Natale F, Capretti MG, Serra L. Human milk, a concrete risk for infection? J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012 Abstract

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