WHO guideline on syphilis screening and treatment for pregnant women

Overview

This guideline provides updated recommendations for syphilis screening for pregnant women based on the most recent evidence and available serologic tests for syphilis. The recommendations for the treatment for syphilis in pregnancy are unchanged from those published in the 2016 WHO guidelines for the treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis).

These guidelines are intended for policy-makers, programme managers, health workers and any other public health professionals responsible for planning or implementing STI services (stand-alone or integrated with other health services). These guidelines will also be a resource for donor and development agencies as well as international, nongovernmental, civil society and community-based organizations, and those working with or led by key populations and the communities affected the most by STIs, including HIV. 

Note: Please refer to the Updated recommendations for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Treponema pallidum (‎syphilis)‎ and new recommendations on syphilis testing and partner services published in 2024 for the second line treatment for syphilis in pregnancy. The treament recommendations for syphilis in other populations remains the same as published in this 2016 guidelines.