[TORCH infections during pregnancy: clinical significance, diagnosis, and treatment]

TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, other [syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19], rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes) constitute the classic group of congenital infections that may result in severe fetal and neonatal consequences. Transplacentally transmitted infections have been a critical component of prenatal care for decades. Although screening for this group of infections has been performed in Hungary since 1971, diagnostic approaches and screening strategies have undergone significant transformation. Current international recommendations, as well as national professional guidelines, no longer support the routine use of non-indicated TORCH panels in the presence of non-specific ultrasound findings, as their diagnostic value is extremely limited. The aim of this paper is to present the clinical significance of TORCH infections, the most recent evidence-based diagnostic algorithms (including serology, avidity testing, and polymerase chain reaction), and emerging therapeutic options (e.g., valacyclovir in cytomegalovirus infection), while emphasizing the importance of targeted diagnostic evaluation and prevention. The manuscript provides an overview of the Hungarian aspects of the diagnosis and management of TORCH infections during pregnancy, including current national screening recommendations, practices and the organization of reference care pathways. The diagnostic approach to TORCH infections has undergone a paradigm shift; therefore, routine TORCH panel testing is no longer recommended. The use of a targeted diagnostic strategy improves diagnostic efficiency and reduces unnecessary interventions. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(39): 1535-1551.