More babies being born with syphilis

 The number of babies born with syphilis is on the rise because of NHS “complacency” about the risk to women, a senior doctor has warned.

Between 1985 and 1999 syphilis was virtually eradicated in the UK, as HIV encouraged people to adopt safer sex practices. However, there have been three cases of congenital syphilis in the past year, prompting Dr Patrick French, a genitourinary consultant in London, to say: “Some doctors and nurses don’t know as much about it as they should”. He added: “We shouldn’t be complacent about heterosexuals passing on syphilis”.