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Congenital and perinatal infections: throwing new light with an old TORCH

Anita Shet1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, 560034, India. anitashet@gmail.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|October 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Congenital and perinatal infections cause significant infant illness. While the TORCH panel has limitations, targeted diagnostic tests and preventative measures like immunization can reduce infection rates and improve infant health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Congenital and perinatal infections are major causes of infant morbidity and mortality.
  • The traditional TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus) panel for diagnosing these infections has known limitations.
  • Emerging pathogens and advanced diagnostic tools necessitate a re-evaluation of diagnostic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established and emerging congenital and perinatal infections.
  • To discuss the diagnostic utility of the TORCH panel versus targeted testing.
  • To highlight preventative strategies for reducing the incidence and morbidity of these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of congenital and perinatal infections.
  • Analysis of the diagnostic yield of the TORCH panel.
  • Discussion of diagnostic approaches for specific pathogens.
  • Overview of current preventative measures.

Main Results:

  • The TORCH serological panel generally has a low diagnostic yield.
  • Individualized diagnostic testing based on clinical presentation offers better diagnostic accuracy.
  • Established infections (CMV, rubella, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, HSV) and newer concerns (HIV, Hep B, varicella, TB) are discussed.
  • Preventative measures are crucial for reducing infection burden.

Conclusions:

  • Relying solely on the TORCH panel is often insufficient for diagnosing congenital and perinatal infections.
  • Targeted diagnostic testing tailored to clinical suspicion is more effective.
  • Preventative strategies including maternal screening, hygiene, and universal immunization are vital for controlling congenital and perinatal infections.

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