How can syphilis affect pregnancy?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that poses significant risks during pregnancy. When a pregnant person is infected with syphilis, the bacteria responsible for the disease—Treponema pallidum—can cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus. This transference can lead to serious complications, including congenital syphilis, which may cause a range of health issues for the newborn, such as skeletal abnormalities, neurological impairment, and other malformations.

Addressing the other options, syphilis indeed has serious implications for pregnancy; therefore, stating that it does not impact pregnancy at all overlooks the profound risks involved. The claim that it guarantees a healthy pregnancy is misleading, as the presence of syphilis significantly increases the chances of complications and adverse outcomes. Additionally, the notion that syphilis makes giving birth easier contradicts the medical evidence demonstrating that untreated syphilis can lead to severe complications for both the person giving birth and the infant, making labor and delivery more complicated rather than easier.