Final answer:
Newborns can contract syphilis through vertical transmission from an infected mother during pregnancy or childbirth. It is critical to screen and treat pregnant women for syphilis to prevent congenital syphilis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Newborns can contract syphilis if the mother is infected with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Transmission can occur during pregnancy or childbirth, with the risk of serious implications for the infant, such as congenital syphilis, which can lead to numerous health issues including osteochondritis, anemia, blindness, and even fetal or newborn death. To prevent mother-to-fetus transmission, pregnant women should be screened for syphilis in the first prenatal visit and treated promptly with penicillin, which has a 98 percent success rate in preventing the transmission if the mother tests positive. For mothers allergic to penicillin, desensitization is mandatory before administering the antibiotic. This preventive approach is crucial in reducing the risk of congenital syphilis.