From the Guidelines
TORCHES infections are a group of congenital infections that can affect newborns, with the acronym standing for Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19, HIV), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes simplex virus, and more recently, Zika. When
From the Research
TORCHES Infections
The TORCHES infections include Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes, and other infections such as hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus 1, 2. These infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns, and early recognition is essential for proper management.
Clinical Considerations
When taking a history on a newborn with a suspected TORCHES infection, the following clinical considerations should be taken into account:
- The mother's medical history, including any infections or exposures during pregnancy 1, 2
- The presence of any congenital anomalies or symptoms in the newborn, such as cervical lymphadenopathy or ocular disease 3
- The results of any prenatal screening tests, such as those for syphilis, rubella, or toxoplasmosis 4
- The epidemiology of the infection, including the prevalence in the population and any risk factors for transmission 2, 4
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of TORCHES infections can be established through direct detection of the parasite or by serological techniques 3. Treatment options are available for some of the infections, such as the combination of pyrimethamine with sulfadiazine and folinic acid for toxoplasmosis 3. However, treatment of maternal infection may not always impact fetal outcome, highlighting the importance of prenatal screening and monitoring 1.
Key Infections
Some of the key TORCHES infections include:
- Toxoplasmosis, which can cause severe damage to the fetus if acquired during pregnancy 1, 3
- Rubella, which can cause congenital rubella syndrome if acquired during pregnancy 1, 2
- Cytomegalovirus, which can cause congenital infection and long-term sequelae 1, 2
- Herpes, which can cause neonatal herpes and long-term sequelae 1, 2
- Syphilis, which can cause congenital syphilis and long-term sequelae 1, 2