What Is TORCH Syndrome?
What Does TORCH Stand For?
The letters in TORCH stand for different types of infections:
- Toxoplasmosis
- Other agents (such as HIV, syphilis, varicella, and fifth disease)
- Rubella
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes simplex
TORCH syndrome may sound like one medical condition. But it’s actually a group of different infections. They're caused by tiny germs like bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The germs (pathogens) can potentially cause serious problems for your unborn baby or newborn.
Can TORCH Infections Get Passed to Babies?
TORCH germs can infect you, your growing baby (fetus), or your newborn.
“While it can be worrisome for patients who may be at risk for such infections, it’s important to remember that most maternal infections do not result in fetal infection,” says Elise Rosenthal, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York.
There are three ways babies can get TORCH infections:
Through your placenta. Your baby can get germs from the placenta — an organ in your womb (uterus) which supplies nutrients and oxygen to your baby.
At birth. The germs in your birth canal can sometimes infect your baby when they pass through it during birth.
Breastfeeding (chestfeeding). Some germs can get in your breastmilk and infect your baby when they drink it.
Your growing baby in your uterus can’t fight off infections as well as an adult. Their immune system is still growing, too. If infected, the germs can cause some organs to form abnormally. What the infection is and how mature your baby is can affect your baby's symptoms.
Types of TORCH Infections
Some types of TORCH infections are more common in certain parts of the world. It can depend on things such as your climate, where you live, or your environment. Here are some common ones:
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It can get into your body through your mouth.
The parasite can get in the soil, water, or on produce (veggies). You can get it from undercooked meat or shellfish, too. It can also infect you from unpasteurized raw goat milk or cat feces (poop).