[Retrospective study of 45 cases of congenital syphilis in French Guiana from 1980 to 1990].

From 1980 through 1990, 45 cases of congenital syphilis, i.e., 15.5/10,000 births, were reported in French Guyana. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these cases were analyzed retrospectively. Most mothers were immigrants (32%) or members of the traditional Maroni community (60%). Congenital infections were often severe (symptomatic in 85% of cases and fatal in 33%). Treatment should be especially aggressive in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.