Maternal Infections - TORCH Overview

Maternal Infections - TORCH

• TORCH infections are a group of infections a pregnant person can have that can be transmitted to the fetus;
• TORCH stands for Toxoplasmosis, Other infections (like HIV, syphilis, parvovirus, varicella, and Zika), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes simplex virus (HSV).
• TORCH infections account for 2-3% of congenital disabilities.
• Transmission can occur via placenta, during labor (birth canal), or breastfeeding.

Common Maternal Infections - TORCH

• Toxoplasmosis: Caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Commonly acquired by eating undercooked meat or exposure to cat feces. Most healthy people don't have symptoms; if pregnant or immunocompromised, can cause severe complications.
• Other infections: Includes HIV, syphilis, parvovirus B19 (fifth disease), varicella (chickenpox), and Zika virus. Transmission can occur through sex, exposure to contaminated blood, or during pregnancy.
• Rubella: A contagious disease caused by the Rubella virus. Can cause serious complications or death if contracted during pregnancy. The MMR vaccine is a preventative measure.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A common virus, often asymptomatic in healthy adults. If contracted during pregnancy, can cause severe problems for the baby.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV): Can cause skin infections. HSV-1 is commonly oral herpes, HSV-2 is genital herpes. Can be passed to the baby during birth, potentially causing blindness, brain damage, skin infection, or death.

Signs and Symptoms of TORCH Infections

• General symptoms include fever, lethargy/sluggishness, feeding difficulty, jaundice, low birth weight, and hearing impairment.
• Specific symptoms can vary depending on the infection.
• Late-onset symptoms can include vision loss, hearing loss, seizures, and learning disabilities.

How Babies Get TORCH Infections

• Through the placenta
• Through the birth canal
• Through breast milk

Rubella (German Measles)

• Rubella is a contagious virus.
• Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is a serious complication if a pregnant person contracts rubella.
• CRS can cause vision loss, hearing loss, heart defects, brain abnormalities, bone disease, and thyroid problems in the newborn.
• Prevention includes the MMR vaccine.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

• CMV is a common virus, often asymptomatic in healthy adults.
• It can cause a range of symptoms for the newborn, from no symptoms to severe problems.
• Transmission can occur through bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, blood, tears, semen, and breast milk.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

• HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 (genital herpes) are different types of the virus.
• HSV infections in pregnant people, especially active outbreaks at delivery, can be dangerous for newborns; they may affect the organs and brain in severe cases and cause blindness, skin infections, and death.
• Most often, HSV-2 is transferred to the baby via the birth canal, leading to possible neonatal herpes; this is a dangerous condition.
• Cesarean section delivery is often recommended to lower risks in cases of active herpes sores at delivery.

Other Infections

• HIV, Syphilis, Fifth Disease, Chickenpox, and Zika virus are all other possibilities for maternal infections that could affect newborns.
• Transmission can occur through sexual contact, direct contact with blood, during labor, or from a contaminated mosquito bite.
• Prevention measures should be followed accordingly.

This quiz covers the TORCH infections that can affect pregnant individuals and be transmitted to the fetus. Learn about Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus, and other infections. Understand the importance of awareness and prevention in maternal health.