North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What treatment is ineffective for curing an infected fetus from syphilis?

1. Penicillin

2. Azithromycin

3. Doxycycline

4. Erythromycin

The correct answer is: Erythromycin

The treatment that is ineffective for curing an infected fetus from syphilis is erythromycin. Syphilis is a serious infection that can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. The primary and most effective treatment for syphilis in pregnant women is penicillin, which is known to cross the placenta and treat the infection effectively in both the mother and the fetus. Erythromycin, while it is an antibiotic, is not effective against syphilis, particularly in the context of treating fetal infections. This is because erythromycin does not sufficiently penetrate the placental barrier to treat the infection effectively. In contrast, other antibiotics like penicillin, azithromycin, and doxycycline can have some degree of effectiveness against Treponema pallidum, the bacterium responsible for syphilis. Specifically, penicillin is the gold standard for treating syphilis in both adults and during pregnancy due to its high efficacy. Azithromycin does show some effectiveness against certain infections, but it is not a first-line treatment for syphilis in pregnant women and is generally not recommended. Doxycycline is effective in treating syphilis in non-pregnant individuals but is avoided during pregnancy due to potential adverse effects on the fetus.