STI: syphilis in pregnancy: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · STI: syphilis in pregnancy

Sample item

A pregnant woman with early syphilis reports penicillin allergy. What is the recommended management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Desensitise and treat with penicillin

Penicillin is the only drug proven to prevent congenital syphilis, so allergic pregnant women should be desensitised and treated with penicillin. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy and erythromycin does not cross the placenta well enough to treat the fetus.

Option by option

  • A. Treat with doxycycline

    Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy.

  • B. Delay treatment until after delivery

    Delay increases the risk of congenital infection.

  • C. Treat with erythromycin

    Erythromycin fails to reliably treat the fetus.

  • D. Desensitise and treat with penicillin (correct)

    Correct. Desensitisation allows penicillin therapy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Desensitise and treat with penicillin. Penicillin is the only drug proven to prevent congenital syphilis, so allergic pregnant women should be desensitised and treated with penicillin.

Why is "Treat with doxycycline" not the answer?

Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Why is "Delay treatment until after delivery" not the answer?

Delay increases the risk of congenital infection.

Why is "Treat with erythromycin" not the answer?

Erythromycin fails to reliably treat the fetus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: syphilis in pregnancy in Dermatology. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy and erythromycin does not cross the placenta well enough to treat the fetus.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study STI: syphilis in pregnancy?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.