Secondary syphilis in a 13-year-old Indonesian girl: a social problem

Abstract

Introduction: Secondary syphilis is characterized by skin and mucous eruptions, such as condyloma lata. Syphilis cases are rare in children. Several factors could influence sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in children, such as lack of knowledge of STIs, parenting, social environment, parents’ marital status, occupation, and education. We reported one social case of secondary syphilis in a 13-year-old girl. Case Presentation: We did history taking, physical, and laboratory examinations. From history taking, the patient did not know about the signs and symptoms of STIs, has bad parenting, a bad social environment, divorced parents, and parents’ low education. On physical examination, there were skin-colored papules, plaques, and nodules on the labia majora, minora, and perianal. The venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) result was reactive. The patient was treated with single dose injection of 2.4 million international units benzathine penicillin G and was educated for signs, symptoms, and complications of STIs, and the danger of risky sexual behavior. There were improvement of the lesions 10 days after therapy, decreased of VDRL titer 4x in one month after therapy, and no longer have sexual activity. Conclusion: Social condition can cause STIs in children. The bigger scope of education programs for children is needed to prevent STIs.