Congenital Syphilis Review Board

Background

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can have very serious complications when left untreated, but it is simple to cure with the right treatment. 

Congenital syphilis occurs when someone passes their syphilis infection on to their fetus during pregnancy, which can cause severe complications such as miscarriages, stillbirths, premature birth, and brain/nerve problems (including blindness and deafness).  

Congenital syphilis cases in Minnesota have risen and reached the highest number in at least 40 years. As recently as 2014, there were no cases of congenital syphilis in Minnesota.

Purpose

The Congenital Syphilis Review Board (CSRB) serves as an independent board to provide recommendations to reduce congenital syphilis and support pregnant people in accessing resources and treatment.

The goal is to eliminate congenital syphilis in Minnesota.

Data to action

To do this, the CSRB:

• Reviews and monitors aggregate data and trends to help identify important missed opportunities and potential intervention approaches. 
• Evaluates the overall effectiveness of current intervention models and programs. 
• Serves as a liaison, gather input from relevant constituencies, and provide feedback from community leaders to MDH. 
• Provides technical expertise. 
• Suggests key audiences for recommendations and information. 

Statewide member representation includes local and Tribal public health, health care providers across multiple disciplines and expertise, pharmacists, a laboratorian, health equity experts, and the MDH congenital syphilis team, epidemiologists, and maternal child health staff. An additional MDH Support Team of program staff from cross cutting areas further support the CSRB. Committee members attend bi-monthly, 1-1/2 hour meetings.

2026 Recommendations

• Congenital Syphilis in Minnesota: Recommendations to Reach Elimination (PDF)

The CSRB aims to address congenital syphilis in MN through a syndemic approach across all aspects of disease prevention, testing, and public health surveillance and action, to improve whole person care and community wellness.

• Objective 1: Increase syphilis testing and treatment during pregnancy
• Objective 2: Decrease community syphilis rates overall
• Objective 3: Enhance resources and financial support for interventions that reduce syphilis
• Objective 4: Raise awareness and reframe messaging around STIs and substance use to address stigma and barriers
• Objective 5: Collaborate with and leverage existing programs to support people with syphilis