TORCH infections are the term given to a group of infectious diseases that can be passed to your baby during pregnancy, at delivery or after birth. TORCH stands for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes and other agents.
TORCH infections (or TORCH syndrome) are a group of infectious diseases that affect a developing baby (fetus) or newborn baby. If you get a TORCH infection, you can pass it to your baby during pregnancy, during delivery or after birth.
Since your baby lacks immunity to fight off diseases, TORCH infections can cause complications to the pregnancy or prevent your baby’s organs from developing properly. How sick your baby gets depends on the type of infection and how far along they are in development when they're infected. Typically, infections that occur early in the pregnancy result in worse outcomes. Prompt medical treatment is needed to reduce the risk of complications.
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TORCH infection is an acronym that stands for the following conditions:
Your baby can get a TORCH infection in three ways:
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TORCH infections account for approximately 2% to 3% of all congenital disorders (conditions you’re born with).
Yes, TORCH infections can cause pregnancy complications such as premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction or miscarriage. It can also cause stillbirth, which is the loss of pregnancy after 20 weeks of gestation.
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The exact symptoms vary depending on the specific underlying infection, but TORCH infections share these symptoms:
After age 2, signs of TORCH infection may include:
How a pregnant person develops a TORCH infection depends on the type of disease.
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite. You can get it from eating undercooked meats or from being exposed to cat feces.
The “O” in TORCH stands for other and includes a group of diseases.
Most pregnant people are vaccinated against rubella, so this disease is rare. However, if you didn't get the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) as a child and are considering getting pregnant in the future, you should talk to your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine.
CMV is a type of herpes virus. It’s spread through saliva and other bodily fluids. Most adults will have CMV and never know because their immune system fights it. However, developing babies and newborns don’t have the immunity to fight CMV. Once you have CMV, it stays in your system for life, but your immune system suppresses it.
Herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection. There are two types of HSV infection: HSV-1 (oral and genital) and HSV-2 (mostly genital). It's most commonly spread through sexual or direct contact with an infected person. HSV most commonly infects a newborn during a vaginal childbirth, so it's important to discuss an HSV diagnosis with your healthcare provider during pregnancy.
Yes, TORCH infections are contagious and spread easily.
TORCH infections are diagnosed through blood tests, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and viral cultures. A viral culture is when your healthcare provider takes a sample of fluid, cells or tissue from your body and tests it for infectious diseases. Common areas include saliva from your mouth, mucus from your nose, blood, pee, amniotic fluid or fluid from a skin rash or sore. PCR tests work by detecting the genetic material of a virus in a fluid sample.
Some congenital disorders, growth problems or issues with major organ development can be seen on prenatal ultrasound and diagnosed before birth.
After you’ve been diagnosed with a TORCH infection, your healthcare provider will take steps to identify a TORCH infection in your baby. Not all TORCH infections are passed to your baby during pregnancy, and just because you have an infection doesn’t mean your baby will get it.
Healthcare providers diagnose TORCH infection in newborns:
Healthcare providers use the same tests to diagnose TORCH infections in newborns as they do for adults. Your child's healthcare provider may take a small blood sample from their heel or finger or obtain a fluid sample to test for viral infections.
Additional tests like computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify complications or side effects of TORCH infections.
Treatment for TORCH infections depends on the disease, when the infection occurred and the severity of symptoms. It may include antibiotics, antiparasitics or antiviral medications. Some TORCH infections are viruses and don't have treatment other than rest and hydration.
If you're diagnosed with a TORCH infection, your provider will monitor your pregnancy and consult with maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Depending on the condition, your baby may need immediate medical attention or care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at birth.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you're breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed and have one of the TORCH infections during pregnancy.
Be sure to share your medical history with your healthcare provider, including which vaccinations you received as a child. Some other things you can do to reduce your chances of TORCH infection are:
Babies born with TORCH infections may have long-term side effects. The outlook is better when your baby is treated as soon as possible for TORCH infections. Some long-term complications include:
Most TORCH infections are treatable with medication. It's important to discuss any symptoms you have during pregnancy with your healthcare provider. Identifying and treating infections as soon as possible leads to the best results for you and your baby.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you're pregnant and think you have one of the TORCH infections. Symptoms vary depending on the condition, but some things to look for include:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
TORCH infections refer to a group of infectious diseases that affect a fetus or newborn baby. They can be passed to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth or shortly after birth in breastmilk. The best way to prevent TORCH infection is to practice good hygiene during pregnancy and wear condoms during sex. TORCH infections are rare but can have serious implications for your baby because they don't have a strong immune system. Be sure to tell your doctor your full medical and vaccination history, including if you've been treated for sexually transmitted infections. Discuss any concerns you have with your provider. In most cases, babies with TORCH infections make a full recovery.
Last reviewed on 06/21/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy