Congenital syphilis. A study of physical and biochemical aspects.

Twenty-three infants who had positive cord blood VDRL test results are described. Fourteen had clinical signs of congenital syphilis. All but one of the affected, and only one of the unaffected infants had high immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels. Several affected infants had low immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels suggesting poor placental transfer. Total protein, albumin and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) levels were generally within the normal range in the whole group, so these are unlikely to be responsible for the neonatal edema found in many of the affected infants.