PERINATAL/CONGENITAL (TORCH) INFECTIONS

Abstract

A generic group of parasitic (toxoplasmosis), viral pathogens [rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex] and „other“ agents responsible for fetal infections, such as varicella zoster, parvovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus and Borrelia burgdorferi that produce congenital or perinatally acquired infections represents the acronym „TORCH“. Many of the clinical manifestations of TORCH infections are similar and include intrauterine growth retardation, nonimmune hydrops, anemia, thrombocytopenia, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, chorioretinitis and congenital malformations. In this article the author presents toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection and herpes simplex infection

Keywords

• perinatal/congenital infections
• torch syndrome
• toxoplasmosis
• rubella
• vytomegalovirus (cmv) infection
• herpes simplex infection
• newborn