Special Report: Impact of Screening on Congenital Conditions

In part 5 of this 7-part Special Report, panelists drive home a crucial message: screen early, screen consistently, and engage parents in the process. In pediatrics, sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening may carry additional sensitivities, but early detection and intervention are critical for preventing long-term complications. Providers should normalize conversations around sexual health during adolescent visits, framing them as a routine part of wellness care rather than a marker of behavior.

Parents, meanwhile, should be encouraged to say yes to recommended testing even if it feels uncomfortable. Conditions like congenital syphilis or perinatal HIV don’t always show visible warning signs early on, yet they can have life-altering consequences for infants and children. By trusting evidence-based recommendations, families can ensure their children get the benefit of early diagnosis and timely treatment.

The final reminder for both clinicians and caregivers: be mindful of where they receive health information. In a world saturated with online advice, only evidence-backed guidance ensures that families are making decisions that protect children today and safeguard their health in the future.

Our Experts:

• Kylee Johnson, MS, APRN, is a women’s health nurse practitioner at Rocky Mountain Women's Clinic.
• Brooke Redmond, MD, is an attending neonatal critical care physician at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. She is the creator and director of the 24/7 BABY program.
• Denise Heaney, PhD, is a senior scientific affairs manager in Diagnostics Information Solutions at Roche Diagnostics Corporation in Indianapolis.

Redmond and Johnson have no relevant disclosures to report. Relevant disclosures for Heaney include Roche.

References:

1. Hufstetler K, Llata E, Miele K, Quilter LAS. Clinical Updates in Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2024. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2024;33(6):827-837. doi:10.1089/jwh.2024.0367

2. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the management of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Published 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK616637/