Antenatal advanced Plus (TORCH) screening

The following tests make up the TORCH panel:
• Toxoplasmosis: a parasitic infection (Toxoplasma gondii ) that can be passed from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy, which can cause eye and central nervous system infections as well as brain and muscle cysts. If acquired during the pregnancy, it may result in a miscarriage or cause birth defects. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by ingesting the parasite when handling the excrement of infected cats, drinking unpasteurized goat’s milk, and, most commonly, by eating contaminated meat.
• Other includes syphilis and HIV. Syphilis can cause birth defects if acquired during pregnancy including low birth weight, deafness and also premature labour and stillborn. HIV infection does not generally cause birth defects but it can be transmitted to the baby if adequate precautions are not taken during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum period.
• Rubella, if contracted in the pregnancy can cause the infant to develop heart disease, retarded growth, hearing loss, blood disorders, vision problems, or pneumonia. Problems that may develop during childhood include autism, brain problems, immune disorders, or thyroid disease.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is another viral infection that the mother may have acquired. Most infected babies do not show any signs of infection at birth. Infected infants may have severe problems, such as hearing loss, men-tal retardation, pneumonia, hepatitis, or blood disorders.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common viral infec-tion. The two most common infections with HSV are “cold sores” affecting the lips and genital herpes. Both of these infections can recur. HSV is most commonly acquired through oral or genital contact. Newborns who contract the virus usually do so during travel through the birth canal of a woman who has a genital infection with HSV. The virus may spread throughout the newborn’s body, attacking vital organs. Even if treated, surviving babies may have permanent damage to the central nervous system. Mothers with recent or active genital herpes symptoms at the time of birth should inform the delivery staff.