TORCH syndrome

TORCH syndrome
Other names	TORCH infection
Congenital toxoplasmosis CRS cataracts caused by rubella Retinitis caused by cytomegalovirus Neonatal herpes
Different manifestations of the four classical TORCH infections
Specialty	Neonatology, infectious disease
Symptoms	hepatosplenomegaly, fever, lethargy, difficulty feeding, anemia, petechiae, purpurae, jaundice, and chorioretinitis
Complications	Stillbirth, etc.
Treatment	Mainly supportive

TORCH syndrome is a cluster of symptoms caused by congenital infection with toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and other organisms including syphilis, parvovirus, and Varicella zoster. ^[1] Zika virus is considered the most recent member of TORCH infections. ^[2]

TORCH is an acronym for (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella, (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex. ^[3]

Signs and symptoms

Though caused by different infections, the signs and symptoms of TORCH syndrome are consistent. They include hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen), fever, lethargy, difficulty feeding, anemia, petechiae, purpurae, jaundice, and chorioretinitis. The specific infection may cause additional symptoms. ^[1]

TORCH syndrome may develop before birth, causing stillbirth, in the neonatal period, or later in life. ^[4]

Pathophysiology

TORCH syndrome is caused by in-utero infection with one of the TORCH agents, disrupting fetal development. ^[1]

Diagnosis

Presence of IgM is diagnostic and persistence of IgG beyond 6–9 months is diagnostic.^{[ citation needed ]}

Prevention

TORCH syndrome can be prevented by treating an infected pregnant woman, thereby preventing the infection from affecting the fetus. ^[4]

Treatment

The treatment of TORCH syndrome is mainly supportive and depends on the symptoms present; medication is an option for herpes and cytomegalovirus infections. ^[1]

Epidemiology

Developing countries are more severely affected by TORCH syndrome than developed countries. ^[4]

References

1. "TORCH Syndrome - NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved 2016-04-21.
2. Mehrjardi, Mohammad Zare (2017). "Is Zika Virus an Emerging TORCH Agent? An Invited Commentary". Virology: Research and Treatment. 8 1178122X17708993. doi:10.1177/1178122X17708993. ISSN   1178-122X. PMC   5439991 . PMID   28579764.
3. "TORCH Syndrome".
4. Neu, Natalie; Duchon, Jennifer; Zachariah, Philip (2015-03-01). "TORCH infections". Clinics in Perinatology. 42 (1): 77–103, viii. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.11.001. ISSN   1557-9840. PMID   25677998.