Torch Infections: Syndrome, Causes, Treatment & Risks

Learn about TORCH infections: symptoms, causes, risks, and treatments. Get expert care at GetWellGo for international patients seeking quality care.

Torch Infections: Syndrome, Causes, Treatment & Risks

  • Category

    Gynecology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    27-May-2025

TORCH Infection

A group of infections known as TORCH can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby at any time from pregnancy to childbirth. They can create dangerous problems for the baby before or after birth.

TORCH is the acronym for:

T - Toxoplasmosis

In most cases, toxoplasmosis is transferred through contact with undercooked meat or exposure to material in cat feces because of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

O — Other diseases

Among the infections classified here are Syphilis, the Varicella-Zoster virus which causes chickenpox, Parvovirus B19 and HIV.

R — Rubella 

Though a vaccine can stop viral infection, it is dangerous for pregnant women if they contract it.

C — Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

If a mother is infected with a common virus during pregnancy, it can result in serious newborn problems.

H — Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Both cold sores and genital herpes are caused by herpes simplex and the disease can pass to the baby during childbirth.

TORCH Syndrome

TORCH syndrome is used to describe a group of symptoms and birth problems in newborns that happen when mother-to-fetus infections happen during pregnancy. This group includes Toxoplasmosis, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex as well.

Features of TORCH Syndrome

  • A combination of health problems may develop in babies exposed to TORCH infections are:
  • A failure to grow during early childhood
  • A condition where a child’s head is smaller than typical
  • When a baby has jaundice (the skin and eyes have a yellow color)
  • The liver and spleen are both enlarged.
  • Petechiae are small, red or purple spots that appear when blood leaks under the skin.
  • Problems in the eyes (including cataracts, a condition called chorioretinitis or microphthalmia)
  • Problems with the brain (like seizures, delays in development or hearing loss)
  • Most cardiac problems arise from congenital rubella.

TORCH Panel Test

A TORCH panel test is a set of blood tests used to look for infections from the TORCH group.

  • T - Toxoplasmosis
  • O — other infections such as Syphilis, occasionally Varicella and Parvovirus B19 and sometimes even HIV
  • R refers to rubella.
  • C comes from Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
  • H — Herpes simplex virus.

What the TORCH Panel Test Means?

  • To find out if the infections are present in a pregnant woman or her newborn.
  • To find infections that may be dangerous for the fetus or newborn.
  • To make sure doctors give the right care, whether during the pregnancy or after labor.    

TORCH Test in Pregnancy

The TORCH test tells healthcare providers whether a pregnant woman has an infection that might endanger her baby.

What is the point of the TORCH Test when someone is pregnant?

  • To help identify infections early this can end in miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects.
  • So that treatment or precautions against damage can reach the fetus in time.
  • To explore what leads to certain pregnancy issues such as limited fetal growth or unusual ultrasound results.
  • To guide the setup of care and organization of delivery for babies with infections.

When Do Providers Need to Perform the TORCH Test?

  • It is most often recommended when signs of risk are present in the first 12 or so weeks.
  • A pregnant woman should notice fever, rash or swollen glands.
  • If a pregnancy ended with miscarriage, stillbirth or some type of fetal problem.
  • If the first test is normal but the doctor suspect toxic levels, it may be done again later in pregnancy.

TORCH Infections in Newborns

Most newborn TORCH infections are caught during pregnancy or at birth from the mother. As a result of these infections, many health problems can occur, including birth defects, slow development and sometimes dangerous complications.

What causes newborns to get TORCH infections?

  • The infection is transferred through the placenta while the fetus is in the womb.
  • Infections can be spread to the baby around birth when secretions from the genitals come in contact.
  • In rare cases, the infection may be transferred after birth from being near infected people.

TORCH Screening during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, TORCH screening means testing the mother’s blood to see if she was exposed to infections that could harm the baby.

Why is the TORCH Screen Performed?

  • To catch maternal infections early that could cause a miscarriage, harmful changes in the fetus or an infection transmitted to the newborn.
  • To plan the management of the pregnancy and cut down the risks for the baby.
  • To decide what can be done to shield the fetus from harm.

When should Doctors Perform TORCH Screening?

  • Especially during the early trimester, if there are complications.
  • In the case of unexplained fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes, the mother may be carrying the disease.
  • After a person has miscarried, given birth to a stillborn baby or had babies with birth defects in previous pregnancies.
  • A prenatal ultrasound indicates that the baby is smaller or has brain calcifications.
  • If the exposed mother may have contact risks (such as with cats for toxoplasmosis, absence of rubella vaccination).

TORCH Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of TORCH infections may differ from one type to another and based on whether they affect the mother or the baby.

TORCH Infection Symptoms Common in Pregnant Women

Although most women experience little or no symptoms when they are pregnant, when they do develop symptoms, they may include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Rash
  • Muscle aches
  • Lymph nodes that are enlarged
  • Sore throat
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Redness or irritation of the eyes (in some infections)

TORCH Infection How Newborns Show Symptoms

If babies become infected in the womb, they often present with TORCH syndrome:

  • The child grows too slowly before or after being born
  • The presence of yellow to the skin and eyes
  • Hepatosplenomegaly means that your liver and spleen are both larger than normal.
  • People affected by microcephaly have an unusually small head.
  • Problems related to the nervous system
  • Petechiae can show up as rash or small red/purple spots on the skin.
  • Disorders affecting the eyes (for example, cataracts, chorioretinitis or small eye)
  • Problems with hearing or being deaf
  • Delays in growth or intellectual issues
  • Serious cases often result in breathing trouble.

TORCH Infection Treatment

TORCH infection treatment varies with the disease, if it affects the mother or the newborn and depends on the condition. When diagnosed relatively early, treatment can prevent adverse outcomes and problems for the baby.

General Treatment Principles:

  • Give treatment to the mother during pregnancy (once infection is identified quickly) to cut the chance of infection in the fetus.
  • If the newborn shows signs of the disease, treat them straight away.
  • Sometimes, children with brain injuries require help handling problems related to seizures, eating problems or delays in growth and development.

Supportive Care for New Babies

  • Antichemical regulation focuses on seizures
  • Listening to sound through aids or implants
  • Being treated with physical and occupational therapy
  • Services for both special education and development are provided.
  • For certain problems such as cataracts or heart defects, surgery is important.

Preventive Measures

  • Get vaccinated against rubella and varicella before trying to have children
  • Tests should be done for syphilis, rubella immunity and additional diseases at the start of pregnancy.
  • Refrain from raw meat, protect yourself from toxoplasmosis through handling cat litter and avoid interacting with people who have the disease
  • Ways to stay safe from herpes, syphilis and HIV

Factors Affecting TORCH Test Cost

The price of a TORCH test depends on many variables. These are the important factors that have an impact on the pricing:

  • Type of TORCH Test Panel
  • Geographic Location
  • Healthcare Facility Type
  • Inclusion of Consultation and Follow-Up
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Testing Method
  • Individual vs. Panel Testing
  • Home Sample Collection

TORCH Test Procedure

Before the Test

  • You should eat and drink as normal, unless directed by your medical team to fast.

Personal communication with your doctor is essential to effective treatment:

  • Pregnancy status
  • Recent infections
  • A look at vaccination records (especially those for rubella and varicella)
  • Any medication or have any immune problems

During the Test

  • Blood is gathered through a test method.
  • Normally using a vein in the upper arm
  • Cleaned by using an antiseptic solution
  • Blood is collected by inserting a needle into a tube.
  • The surgery is generally finished in 5 to 10 minutes.

For newborns:

  • Blood can be collected from a tiny prick on a heel.

After the Test

  • The wound is covered with a small bandage.
  • Very mild pain or bruises are possible
  • Start to carry out daily activities once again as soon as possible.

Recent Blogs