TORCH infections in pregnancy are a group of maternal infections that can cross the placenta and cause serious fetal and neonatal complications.
What does TORCH stand for?
T – Toxoplasmosis
O – Other (commonly Syphilis, also Varicella-zoster, Parvovirus B19, HIV)
R – Rubella
C – Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
H – Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Individual infections and complications
1. Toxoplasmosis
Cause: Toxoplasma gondii
Transmission: Undercooked meat, cat feces
Fetal complications:
Chorioretinitis (eye damage)
Hydrocephalus
Intracranial calcifications
Seizures
Miscarriage or stillbirth
2. Other
Syphilis
Cause: Treponema pallidum
Fetal/neonatal complications:
Stillbirth
Preterm birth
Congenital syphilis
Hepatosplenomegaly
Bone deformities
Deafness
Varicella-Zoster (Chickenpox)
Limb hypoplasia
Eye and brain damage
Skin scarring
Parvovirus B19
Severe fetal anemia
Hydrops fetalis
Fetal death
3. Rubella
Transmission: Respiratory droplets
Major risk: First trimester
Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS):
Cataracts
Deafness
Congenital heart defects (e.g., PDA)
Microcephaly
Growth restriction
4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Most common congenital viral infection
Complications:
Sensorineural hearing loss
Microcephaly
Seizures
Periventricular calcifications
Developmental delay
5. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Transmission: Usually during delivery
Neonatal complications:
Skin, eye, mouth disease
Encephalitis
Disseminated infection (high mortality)
General complications of TORCH infections
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Preterm labor
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Congenital anomalies
Neurodevelopmental delay
Vision and hearing loss
Prevention
Proper hand hygiene
Avoid undercooked meat
Avoid contact with cat litter during pregnancy
Routine antenatal screening
Rubella vaccination before pregnancy
Safe sexual practices
