TORCH

Definition
TORCH Syndrome refers to infection of a developing fetus or newborn
by any of a group of infectious agents. "TORCH" is an
acronym meaning (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella (also
known as German Measles), (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex.
TORCH Syndrome refers to infection of a developing fetus or newborn
by any of a group of infectious agents.
Toxoplasma
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the microscopic
parasitic organism called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasitic infection,
found worldwide, may be acquired or transmitted to the developing
fetus from an infected mother during pregnancy. In some severely
affected newborns, Toxoplasmosis may be associated with abnormal
smallness of the head (microcephaly), inflammation of the middle
and innermost layers of the eyes (chorioretinitis), calcium deposits in
the brain (intracranial calcifications), and/or other abnormalities.
Rubella
Rubella is a viral infection characterized by fever, upper respiratory
infection, swelling of the lymph nodes, skin rash, and joint pain.
Severely affected newborns and infants may have visual and/or
hearing impairment, heart defects, calcium deposits in the brain,
and/or other abnormalities.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection is a viral infection that may occur
during pregnancy, after birth, or at any age. In severely affected
newborns, associated symptoms and findings may include growth
retardation, an abnormally small head (microcephaly), enlargement
of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), inflammation of the
liver (hepatitis), low levels of the oxygen-carrying pigment in the
blood due to premature destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic
anemia), calcium deposits in the brain, and/or other abnormalities.
Neonatal Herpes
Neonatal Herpes is a rare disorder affecting newborns infected with the
Herpes simplex virus (HSV). This disorder may vary from mild to severe. In
most cases, the disorder is transmitted to an infant from an infected
mother with active genital lesions at the time of delivery. In the event that
a mother has a severe primary genital outbreak, it is possible that a mother
may transmit the infection to the fetus. After delivery, direct contact with
either genital or oral herpes sores may result in neonatal herpes. Severely
affected newborns may develop fluid-filled blisters on the skin (cutaneous
vesicles), lesions in the mouth area, inflammation of the mucous
membrane lining the eyelids and whites of the eyes (conjunctivitis),
abnormally diminished muscle tone, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis),
difficulties breathing, and/or other symptoms and findings.
Causes
TORCH Syndrome results from one of the TORCH agents having crossed
the placenta during pregnancy. These infectious agents include
Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled microorganism (protozoa)
responsible for Toxoplasmosis; rubella virus; cytomegalovirus; and
herpes simplex viruses. (Note: According to some reports, the
acronym “TORCH” is sometimes modified to the term “STORCH” to
include syphilis, a disease that may result in symptoms similar to
those associated with the other TORCH agents. Syphilis is caused by
infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In addition, TORCH
may encompass other disease-causing agents, such as varicella-zoster
virus, which is the virus responsible for chickenpox, and parvovirus.)
Symptoms and signs
Though caused by different infections, the signs and symptoms of
TORCH syndrome are consistent. They include hepatosplenomegaly
(enlargement of the liver and spleen), fever, lethargy, difficulty feeding,
anemia, purpure, jaundice, and chorioretinitis. The specific infection
may cause additional symptoms.
Diagnose
the symptoms of torch are not specific. Therefore, laboratory tests are
very necessary to help find out TORCH infection . It was found that
IgM antibodies showed a positive result of 40 (10.52%) for
toxoplasma, 102 (26.8%) for Rubella, 32 (8.42%) for CMV and 14
(3.6%) for HSV-II. IgG antibodies showed positive results of 160
(42.10%) for Toxoplasma, 233 (61.3%) for Rubella, 346 (91.05%) for
CMV and 145 (33.58%) for HSV-II.
Prevention
TORCH syndrome can be prevented by treating an infected pregnant
person, thereby preventing the infection from affecting the fetus.
1. Consumption nutrition food
2. Check before pregnancy
3. Do vaccination
4. Check womb routinely
5. Take care your body
6. Stay away from people who have TORCH syndrome
7. Consume a mature food
Treatment
The treatment of TORCH syndrome is mainly supportive and depends
on the symptoms present, medication is an option for herpes and
cytomegalovirus infections. Treatment of newborns and infants with
TORCH Syndrome is based upon the specific causative agent, the stage
of fetal development when infection initially occurred, the severity of
the infection and associated symptoms and findings, and/or other
factors. For infants with toxoplasmosis, treatment may include
administration of the medication pyrimethamine with sulfadiazine.
Herpes simplex may be treated with the antiviral agent acyclovir. The
treatment of newborns and infants with rubella or cytomegalovirus
primarily includes symptomatic and supportive measures.
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/torch-syndrome/