PubMed · 2002 · 157 citations · 0 references
MedicineInfectious DiseasesMaternal HealthMaternal-fetal MedicineMedical MicrobiologyVirologyBacterial InfectionsCongenital InfectionsPerinatal InfectionPerinatal PathologyViral InfectionsCongenital Parvovirus B19 InfectionContinuous Fetal MonitoringFetal Monitoring EducationInfections In PregnancyMaternal Disease SurveillanceMaternal Varicella-zoster Virus Infection
Perinatal infections account for 2–3 % of all congenital anomalies, with TORCH infections—Toxoplasmosis, syphilis, varicella‑zoster, parvovirus B19, Rubella, CMV, and Herpes—being among the most common causes; they typically cause mild maternal morbidity but can lead to serious fetal consequences, and treating the mother often does not improve fetal outcomes. Clinicians must recognize maternal TORCH infections and monitor fetuses once disease is identified. Understanding TORCH infections enables clinicians to counsel mothers on prevention and inform parents about possible adverse fetal outcomes.
Perinatal infections account for 2% to 3% of all congenital anomalies. TORCH, which includes Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes infections, are some of the most common infections associated with congenital anomalies. Most of the TORCH infections cause mild maternal morbidity, but have serious fetal consequences, and treatment of maternal infection frequently has no impact on fetal outcome. Therefore, recognition of maternal disease and fetal monitoring once disease is recognized are important for all clinicians. Knowledge of these diseases will help the clinician appropriately counsel mothers on preventive measures to avoid these infections, and will aid in counseling parents on the potential for adverse fetal outcomes when these infections are present.