Congenital Syphilis
A positive serological test for syphilis in a newborn without stigmata of syphilis may be due either to passive transfer of maternal antibodies or to prenatal infection. If there is no definite evidence of adequate treatment of the mother with penicillin during the pregnancy, Medical Letter consultants recommend prompt treatment of such infants rather than waiting 3 to 6 months to see if the antibody titer falls.