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 syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | TORCH infection |
Retinitis caused by cytomegalovirus | |
| 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 |
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TORCH is an acronym for (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella, (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex.[3]
Signs and symptoms
editThough 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
editTORCH syndrome is caused by in-utero infection with one of the TORCH agents, disrupting fetal development.[1]
Diagnosis
editPresence of IgM is diagnostic and persistence of IgG beyond 6–9 months is diagnostic.[citation needed]
Prevention
editTORCH syndrome can be prevented by treating an infected pregnant woman, thereby preventing the infection from affecting the fetus.[4]
Treatment
editThe treatment of TORCH syndrome is mainly supportive and depends on the symptoms present; medication is an option for herpes and cytomegalovirus infections.[1]
Epidemiology
editDeveloping countries are more severely affected by TORCH syndrome than developed countries.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "TORCH Syndrome - NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved 2016-04-21.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "TORCH Syndrome".
- ^ a b c 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.