Syphilis that is congenital or inherited from a parent, typically passed from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.
From Latin 'heredus' (hereditary) combined with 'syphilis.' The term was used in medical literature to distinguish congenital cases from those acquired through other means.
Before antibiotics, heredosyphilis was a tragic reality—children born with congenital syphilis often developed severe developmental problems, which is why testing pregnant women became such a crucial public health measure.
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