Congenital syphilis can be diagnosed by:

Ans. (a) IgM FTAbs "Newborn infant of mother with reactive VDRL or FTA-ABS shows (+) yetest irrespective of infection because of trans-placental transfer of maternal IgG antibody." As IgM antibody don't cross placenta, neonatal IgM antibody can be detected in cord or neonatal serum with the syphilis capita M or 195 IgM FTA-ABS test. Impoant points about Congenital syphilis: Transmission across placenta can take place any time, but lesion appear after 4 month of gestation. Earliest sign of congenital syphilis - Rhinitis, snuffles Residual stigmata of congenital syphilis - Hutchinson's teeth, Mulberry molars, Rhagades DOC of congenital syphilis - Penicillin G. Adequate treatment of the woman before the 6th week of pregnancy should prevent fetal damage. Among infants born alive only fulminant congenital syphilis is clinically apparent at bih. (Million. According to Harrison 18/e, p 1388 no commercially available IgM test is recommended for evaluation of infant with suspected congenital syphillis.