TORCH syndrome
TORCH syndrome may
seem like a separate disease, but it is actually a group of infectious diseases
that can cause problems, including serious ones, in your unborn child:
- Toxoplasmosis
- Other agents (including HIV, syphilis,
varicella, and fifth disease)
- Rubella
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes simplex
What it is?
If you get one of the
TORCH infections during pregnancy and it passes through your blood to your
baby, he too can get it. And because it's still growing in your womb, her
immune system probably won't be able to fight it.
If the disease
remains in his body, his organs may not develop properly. How sick your child
is depends on several factors, including the illness and how far along they are
in their development. But a number of problems can arise, from jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes) to hearing problems, to miscarriages and
stillbirths.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is rare
and is caused by a parasite. The parasite usually enters your body through your
mouth, so you can become infected by eating foods such as undercooked meat. If
you are infected, you can pass the infection on to your unborn child.
Problems your child
may experience when exposed to toxoplasmosis include:
- Brain damage
- Inflammation of parts of the eye, which can lead to blindness
- Delays in the ability to use muscles (motor) and other areas of development
- Seizures
- Too much fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)
To reduce your chance
of getting toxoplasmosis:
- Do not eat undercooked meat or raw eggs.
- Keep away from cat litter and droppings.
- Avoid insects such as flies that have been around cat litter.
Other agents
Other agents included
in the TORCH syndrome include HIV, fifth disease, syphilis, and varicella
zoster virus.
HIV
If you are HIV positive, tests may not show that your baby has it at birth, but
it may show later, even after 6 months of age. He may have symptoms such as
stunted growth, pneumonia, or swollen lymph nodes and abdominal cavity.
If you have HIV and
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, antiretroviral drugs can reduce
the chance of passing the virus to your baby.
Syphilis
Pregnant women in the first or second stage of this
sexually transmitted disease pass it on to their children in 75% of cases if
left untreated.
Syphilis is caused by
bacteria and can create serious problems during a child's development. Many
children who are affected before birth do not live to term or die shortly after
birth. Almost half of the children will be stillborn.
Children born with
syphilis may have deformed bones, anemia, meningitis, rashes, and nerve
problems that can lead to blindness and deafness. If you are pregnant, you
should be tested for syphilis. If you test positive, your doctor may treat it
with antibiotics.
Fifth disease
This disease is caused by parvovirus B19. This is
rarely a problem for pregnant women or their children. About half of the women
are immune to the virus, so their children will not contract the fifth disease.
Babies who do this may suffer from anemia. In less than 5% of cases, women have
problems leading to miscarriage.
Because there is no
vaccine or cure to prevent fifth disease, it is important to wash your hands
frequently with soap and avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are
pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks.
Varicella
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and also causes congenital
varicella syndrome in children. You are unlikely to pass chickenpox on to your
child. Even if you get chickenpox during pregnancy, there is only a 2% chance
that you will pass it on.
However, children
born with congenital chickenpox may have birth defects. If you have never had
chickenpox and have never been vaccinated, you should be vaccinated at least
one month before planning a pregnancy. And tell your doctor if you think you
got chickenpox while pregnant.
Rubella
Measles, also known
as rubella, is a contagious disease caused by a virus. If you get rubella, you
are more likely to have a mild fever, sore throat, and rash. If you are
pregnant and contract rubella during the first trimester, you are likely to
pass it on to your baby.
It can be very
serious - you could have a miscarriage or your baby could have serious birth
defects.
The first 3 months of
pregnancy is the time when rubella can cause the most developmental problems
for your baby. That's why it's important to tell your doctor right away if you
think you've been infected.
Thanks to the
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, the disease rarely occurs in children. In
the United States, there are 30 to 60 known cases each year, with fewer than
five children born each year.
There is no cure for
congenital rubella syndrome, so prevention is key. If you are planning to
become pregnant and have not yet received the measles, mumps and rubella
vaccine, you should get it at least 28 days before conception.
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus is an
infection of the herpes virus group. And it is believed that 50% of adults have
it by the age of 30. There is no cure for cytomegalovirus, but it recovers very
quickly and does not cause serious problems unless you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant,
you can pass it on to your unborn child. In fact, cytomegalovirus is the most
common viral infection transmitted to children.
About 1 in 5 babies
born with congenital cytomegalovirus will get sick or have long-term problems,
including:
- Hearing and vision loss
- Jaundice
- Small birth size
- Lung problems
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Mental disabilities
Herpes simplex
Like cytomegalovirus,
herpes is a lifelong infection but may be inactive for a period of time. It is
also very common.
There are two types
of herpes: HSV-1, which can cause blisters around the mouth but can also be
transmitted to the genitals. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease that
causes genital herpes and can cause blisters or open sores on the genitals or
anus. It can also cause oral herpes.
You can pass herpes
on to your baby in several ways:
- He can contract the virus while he is in the womb. It is a rarity.
- You may have a genital jolt during labor. This is the most common route of infection in infants.
- He can also get herpes when he is a newborn.
The biggest risk to
your baby is the first outbreak of herpes during pregnancy. This is because in
the first outbreak, you spread more virus particles and over a longer period of
time. Your body has fewer antibodies to fight the virus than in future
outbreaks.
If you are pregnant and contract herpes later in your pregnancy, you may be more likely to pass it on to your baby. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. If you have an active flare during labor, you may be better off with a C-section and you may need to take other precautions.