Early Diffuse Alopecia in a Neonate with Congenital Syphilis

In 2006, researchers documented the first case of a newborn with congenital syphilis presenting with early diffuse alopecia. The mother, untreated for syphilis until her sixth pregnancy, gave birth to a child who, in addition to hair loss, showed signs of congenital syphilis like hepatosplenomegaly but not the typical facial and skin symptoms. The infant's syphilis diagnosis was confirmed through positive serology and treated with intravenous penicillin G. The authors proposed that the alopecia was due to the syphilis bacteria affecting the hair follicles, a phenomenon not previously seen in congenital syphilis but known in secondary syphilis. They also considered a possible link to neurosyphilis. Unfortunately, the mother and child were lost to follow-up after the initial treatment.