TORCH syndrome is a cluster of symptoms caused by congenital infection with toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and other organisms including syphilis, parvovirus, Varicella zoster and Zika virus .
TORCH is an acronym for (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella, (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex.
The signs and symptoms of TORCH syndrome are consistent: hepatosplenomegaly, fever, lethargy, difficulty feeding, anemia, petechiae, purpurae, jaundice, and chorioretinitis.
TORCH syndrome may develop before birth, causing stillbirth, in the neonatal period, or later in life.
The TORCH syndrome disrupts fetal development.
Presence of IgM antibodies to the infectious agent is diagnostic and persistence of IgG antibodies beyond 6–9 months is diagnostic.
TORCH syndrome can be prevented by treating an infected pregnant woman, preventing the infection from affecting the fetus.
The treatment of TORCH syndrome is mainly supportive and depends on the symptoms present.
Medication is an option for herpes and cytomegalovirus infections.