If you are a mother-to-be or expecting a new member to join your family, you must be thinking a lot about the health of your little one in the womb, right? Sometimes, even without us realizing it, certain infections can affect our babies. That is one of the types of infections we are going to talk about today.
What are TORCH infections?
Simply put, TORCH infections are a group of infectious diseases that can affect the fetus or newborn baby. If you have a TORCH infection, it can be passed on to your baby during pregnancy, during delivery, or after birth.
Remember, newborn babies don't have the same immunity to diseases as adults. So, these TORCH infections can cause complications during pregnancy and prevent the baby's organs from developing properly. The extent to which the baby is affected depends on the type of infection and the stage of development of the baby when it is infected. Usually, other infections are most harmful during the early stages of pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What does TORCH mean? What diseases does it include?
TORCH is actually an acronym. It refers to this group of diseases. Let's see what they are:
- T - That means Toxoplasmosis .
- O - This stands for Other infections . That means infections like HIV, Syphilis, Parvovirus B19, also known as fifth disease, Varicella (Chickenpox), and Zika virus.
- R - That's Rubella . Also called German measles.
- C - This is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) .
- H - Finally, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) .
Do you now understand what diseases are represented by the letters in the word TORCH?
How does a baby get a TORCH infection?
Babies can contract these infections in three ways:
1. Through the Placenta: Some diseases pass from your blood to your baby's blood through the placenta. This happens during pregnancy. The placenta is where the baby gets oxygen, nutrients, and blood.
2. During delivery: During normal delivery, that is, through the vagina, some TORCH infections can be transmitted to the baby.
3. After birth: If you are breastfeeding your baby, some infections can also be passed to your baby through breast milk.
How common are TORCH infections? Can they cause miscarriage?
TORCH infections account for between 2% and 3% of congenital anomalies (conditions present at birth).
Yes, sadly, TORCH infections can cause premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction, or miscarriage. Sometimes, the baby can die even after 20 weeks (stillbirth). So it is very important to be aware of this.
What are the symptoms of TORCH infections?
Although the exact symptoms vary depending on the type of infection, TORCH infections have several common characteristics:
- Fever, lethargy, baby not wanting to drink milk.
- Jaundice .
- Low birth weight.
- Hearing impairment.
- A duct in the heart that does not close properly (Patent Ductus Arteriosus - PDA) .
- Small red or brown spots on the skin (also called purpura ).
- Blue/purple spots called "blueberry rash".
- Swelling of the liver and spleen (Hepatosplenomegaly) .
- Cataracts .
- The head is smaller than normal (Microcephaly) .
After the age of 2, the following symptoms may also appear:
- Loss of vision.
- Hearing loss.
- Having seizures, like epilepsy.
- Learning difficulties.
What causes TORCH infections?
The way a TORCH infection develops varies depending on the disease. Let's see how.
Toxoplasmosis
This is a disease caused by a parasite. It can be contracted from eating undercooked meat or from exposure to cat feces. If you have a cat at home, you should be careful when removing its feces. If you are pregnant, it is best to delegate this task to someone else.
Other infections
The other group of infections that start with the letter "O" in TORCH includes:
- HIV: This is a virus that is spread through sexual contact or through contact with HIV-infected blood (for example, sharing needles). It can often be passed to the baby during the last three months of pregnancy, during delivery, or after birth if the mother does not take her medication properly.
- Syphilis: This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It is spread through direct contact with syphilis sores (during sexual intercourse). These days, the number of children born with syphilis has increased. They are infected through childbirth.
- Fifth disease: This is a mild, mild illness caused by the parvovirus B19 . It is spread through droplets of saliva and mucus when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Chickenpox (Varicella): This is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) . Usually, chickenpox is contracted once in a lifetime (usually during childhood) or after receiving the chickenpox vaccine, lifelong immunity is obtained.
- Zika virus: This is a virus that is spread by an infected mosquito. It occurs in areas where the virus is common. It can also be spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
Rubella (German measles)
The disease is now much less common because many people have been vaccinated against rubella. However, if you did not get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as a child and are planning to have a baby in the future, talk to your doctor about getting it.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is a type of herpes virus. It is spread through saliva and other body fluids. Many adults have CMV but don't know it because their immune systems fight it off. However, unborn babies and newborns don't have enough immunity to fight CMV. If you get CMV, it stays in your body for life, but your immune system keeps it under control.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes is also a sexually transmitted infection that spreads very quickly. There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 (in the mouth and genitals) and HSV-2 (most often in the genitals). It is most commonly spread through sexual contact with an infected person or through direct contact. The most common way a newborn baby can get HSV is during vaginal delivery. So if you have HSV, it is very important to tell your doctor during pregnancy.
Are TORCH infections contagious?
Yes, TORCH infections are contagious and spread easily.
How are TORCH infections diagnosed during pregnancy?
TORCH infections are diagnosed through blood tests, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, and viral cultures. A viral culture is a test that takes a sample of fluid, cells, or tissue from your body and tests it for the presence of the infectious agent. This can usually be done through saliva, nasal discharge, blood, urine, amniotic fluid, or fluid from skin lesions or wounds. A PCR test looks for the genetic material of a virus in a fluid sample.
Some congenital disorders, developmental problems, and problems with the development of major organs can be detected before the baby is born through ultrasound scans performed during pregnancy.
How to diagnose TORCH infections in newborns?
Once you are diagnosed with a TORCH infection, doctors will take steps to check if your baby has it too. Not all TORCH infections are passed on to your baby during pregnancy. Also, just because you have an infection doesn't mean your baby will get it.
This is how doctors diagnose TORCH infections in newborns:
- During the physical examination that takes place after the baby is born.
- The baby's symptoms have been observed.
- Ultrasounds or other scans performed during pregnancy.
The same tests used for adults are used to detect TORCH infections in newborns. A small blood sample from your baby's heel or finger, or a sample of fluid, can be taken to check for viral infections.
Additional tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, can help identify complications or side effects of TORCH infections.
What are the treatments for TORCH infections?
Treatment for TORCH infections depends on the type of infection, when the infection occurred, and the severity of symptoms. This may include antibiotics, antiparasitics, or antiviral medications . Some TORCH infections are caused by viruses, and there is no treatment other than rest and staying hydrated.
If you are diagnosed with a TORCH infection, your doctor will monitor your pregnancy and discuss it with maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Depending on the severity of the condition, your baby may need immediate medical attention or treatment in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after birth.
If you develop one of the TORCH infections during pregnancy and are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor about it.
How to protect yourself from TORCH infections during pregnancy?
Don't forget to tell your doctor about your medical history, including vaccinations you received as a child. Here are some other things you can do to protect yourself from TORCH infections:
- Reduce contact with people who are sick.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly.
- Avoid eating and drinking from the same cup or plate with other people.
- Avoid traveling to parts of the world where certain infectious diseases are common.
- Cook meat, fish, and eggs well.
- During pregnancy , delegate the task of removing cat feces to someone else.
- Use condoms when having sex.
- Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) before getting pregnant.
- Take antiviral medications as prescribed by your doctor.
What are the long-term effects of TORCH infections?
Babies born with TORCH infections can have long-term side effects. However, the sooner a baby is treated for TORCH infections, the better the outcome. Some of the long-term complications include:
- Learning difficulties.
- Vision or hearing problems.
- Developmental delays.
Many TORCH infections can be treated with medication. It is important to talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms during pregnancy. Diagnosing and treating infections as early as possible will give you and your baby the best possible outcome.
When should you see a doctor?
If you are pregnant and think you may have one of the TORCH infections, see your doctor immediately. Although symptoms vary depending on the disease, look out for these things:
- Fever.
- Unexplained body injuries or skin lesions.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the throat or groin area.
- Sore throat.
- Body aches, muscle pain.
- Things like blisters in the mouth or around the genitals.
Finally, the most important thing
TORCH infections are a group of infectious diseases that can affect the fetus or newborn. They can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, during delivery, or shortly after birth through breast milk. The best way to avoid TORCH infections is to practice good hygiene during pregnancy and use condoms during sex.
Although TORCH infections are not very common, they can have serious consequences because babies don't have a strong immune system. Be sure to tell your doctor about your complete medical and vaccination history, as well as any treatment you've received for sexually transmitted diseases. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have. In most cases, babies with TORCH infections recover completely. So don't panic, but be careful.
` Pregnancy, Infections, Infant Health, TORCH, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes
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