PENICILLIN DESENSITIZATION IN THE TREATMENT OF SYPHILIS DURING PREGNANCY

The objective of this study was to compare patients' hospital course, complications, and charges for oral and intravenous (i.v.) desensitiza tion regimens for the treatment of syphilis in the penicillin-allergic gravida. We performed a retrospective search of medical records at tw o tertiary-level teaching hospitals and reviewed the hospital course o f penicillin-allergic gravidas who underwent penicillin desensitizatio n. Between August 1988 and December 1995, 16 procedures for penicillin desensitization were carried out: 11 oral procedures, and 6 i.v. proc edures. There were no significant differences between the patients in the oral and i.v. desensitization groups with respect to demographic c haracteristics, duration of time in a monitored bed, or length of hosp ital stay. The oral regimen was less expensive than the i.v. regimen ( $144.06 vs. $319.48). In our experience, oral and i.v. regimens provid e effective desensitization for the treatment of syphilis in penicilli n-allergic gravidas. However, the oral route offers ease of administra tion and substantial cost savings, making it the preferred method.