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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