Why are so many San Antonio babies born with syphilis?

Nine babies this year.

Worried about rising numbers of babies born with syphilis in San Antonio, local health officials have begun assigning case workers to follow infected women throughout their pregnancies to ensure proper treatment.

They're urging local doctors and hospitals to test women for syphilis in their third trimester, in addition to the routine test they receive at the first prenatal visit. And they're considering asking state lawmakers to make that second test mandatory in Texas, as it already is for HIV.