What it means
Peg- or screwdriver-shaped permanent upper central incisors with a notched edge, seen in children with congenital syphilis, syphilis passed from the pregnant parent to the baby. They appear when the permanent teeth come in. It is named after Jonathan Hutchinson, an English surgeon.
For the nurse
Congenital syphilis is preventable: every pregnant client is screened for syphilis, and those who test positive are treated with penicillin.
At a glance
| Also written | Hutchinson's teeth |
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Related terms
syphilis
A bacterial infection, spread mainly through sex, caused by Treponema pallidum.
rapid plasma reagin
A blood test used to screen for syphilis by looking for antibodies the body makes during the infection.