Acquired syphilis is a serious generalized disease that can be transmitted through thc placenta, in a small number of cases in the perinatal period, and leads the severe damage of the child. In recent years, in the Czech Republic there has re-occurred an increase in the number of cases of acquired as well as of conge¬nital infection (15). A similar situation has been observed in neighboring European countries at the turn of the millennium (4). A decrease in the number of affected can be brought about only on the basis of sound professional knowledge and through persistent enforcement of mandatory preventivě measures. In this first part there are briefly adumbrated etiological relations as well as possible diagnostic options and the current epidemiological situation. The second part, by the third author, shall deal with a review of clinical mani-festations of congenital syphilis in relation to the mother's affection.

        Key words: syphilis - congenital syphilis - incidence - direct tests - indirect tests