TORCH is an acronym for a group of various infectious diseases that may cause illness in pregnant women and may cause birth defects in their newborns. The original TORCH acronym stands for Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Herpes Simplex Virus and the test is a screen for the presence of any of the antibodies to these infections. However, this acronym is now outdated, as all these tests are not necessarily and routinely performed and…TORCH is an acronym for a group of various infectious diseases that may cause illness in pregnant women and may cause birth defects in their newborns. The original TORCH acronym stands for Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Herpes Simplex Virus and the test is a screen for the presence of any of the antibodies to these infections. However, this acronym is now outdated, as all these tests are not necessarily and routinely performed and additional and more specific tests may actually be requested to confirm the presence of an active infection. The following tests make up the TORCH panel:Toxoplasmosis: this is a parasitic infection that can be passed from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy. An infection with Toxoplasma gondii can cause eye and central nervous system infections as well as brain and muscle cysts. If acquired during the pregnancy, it may result in a miscarriage or cause birth defects, though this depends on the time during the pregnancy in which the infection was acquired by the mother. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by ingesting the parasite when handling the excrement of infected cats, drinking unpasteurized goat’s milk, and, most commonly, by eating contaminated meat. Other: in particular syphilis and HIV. Some doctors have added “other” infections to the original acronym to reflect the importance of testing for Syphilis and HIV during pregnancy. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that, if acquired during pregnancy, can cause birth defects, low birth weight, deafness and also premature labour and stillborn. HIV infection does not generally cause birth defects but it can be transmitted to the baby if adequate precautions are not taken during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum period. Rubella is the virus that causes German measles. If contracted early in the pregnancy, the infant may develop heart disease, retarded growth, hearing loss, blood disorders, vision problems, or pneumonia. Problems that may develop during childhood include autism, brain problems, immune disorders, or thyroid disease. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is another viral infection that the mother may have acquired. More than half of all American adults have been infected with CMV at some point in their life and, in most cases, it does not cause severe illness. It may pass to the foetus during pregnancy but can also infect newborns through breast milk. Most infected babies do not show any signs of infection at birth. Infected infants may have severe problems, such as hearing loss, mental retardation, pneumonia, hepatitis, or blood disorders. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common viral infection. The two most common infections with HSV are “cold sores” affecting the lips and genital herpes. Both of these infections can recur. HSV is most commonly acquired through oral or genital contact. Newborns who contract the virus usually do so during travel through the birth canal of a woman who has a genital infection with HSV. The virus may spread throughout the newborn’s body, attacking vital organs. Treatment with specific antiviral medication should begin as soon as possible in the infected newborn. Even if treated, surviving babies may have permanent damage to the central nervous system. Mothers with recent or active genital herpes symptoms at the time of birth should inform the delivery staff. See MoreSee Less
