Intestinal ulceration, obstruction, and haemorrhage in congenital syphilis

Intestinal obstruction and bleeding are uncommon complications of congenita l syphilis (CS). A VDRL-positive infant developed incomplete intestinal obs truction and rectal bleeding. Despite conservative management, his symptoms continued. At laparotomy, terminal ileal inflammation and stenosis were de monstrated. He underwent ileal resection and primary end-to-end anastomosis with resolution of his symptoms. Histopathological examination demonstrate d heavy plasmacytic infiltration of the lamina propria and submucosa with u lceration of the mucosa, consistent with syphilitic ileitis. This report do cuments for the first time bleeding from ileal ulcers associated with intes tinal obstruction in CS and highlights an unusual presentation of the disea se.