How can syphilis be transmitted to a baby?

In order for a newborn, infant, toddler, or child to contract syphilis, there must be genital contact. The newborn can pick up the STD when passing through the birth canal of a woman with untreated syphilis. An infant, toddler, or child would have to be touched by the infected genital area in order for transmission to occur. It may surprise people to learn that babies and children who are molested, sexually abused, or raped can get a STD if the abuser has STD. They can also get more than one STD of the abuser has more than one STD. Sexually abused children can also get AIDS if the abuser is infected.