TORCH - infectious disease test

This test is mainly used to monitor antibodies to pathogens that are included in the examination panel in women. The examination will help determine if the person has an infection, has had an infection, or has never been infected. If an active infection is confirmed it is necessary to undergo further testing.

Who is the test suitable for:

Pregnant women with symptoms of the disease:

In pregnant women mostly in cases where the pregnant woman has symptoms of the infections in question. Symptoms may include rash or flu-like symptoms. During pregnancy, infection tends to be very dangerous. The main reason for this is that the pathogens can travel through the placenta to the fetus and can cause congenital damage to the newborn. Antibody testing will help to correctly diagnose the problem and set the right measures.

Pregnant women with the following findings after ultrasound examination:

Examination is done for some ultrasound findings in pregnancy: Increased nuchal translucency (NT), intestinal hyperechogenicity, ventriculomegaly, hyperechogenic focus in the heart, choroid plexus cysts, CNS calcification, IUGR, oligo/anhydramnios, polyhydramnios, placental edema, high AFP, or general fetal birth defects to rule out that these findings are due to viral infection.

Healthy pregnant women:

It also makes sense to test for antibodies in any healthy pregnant woman - some infections, such as cytomegalovirus infection, may be asymptomatic. Knowing the antibody levels will allow you to distinguish in a future pregnancy between a primary infection (an infection in a woman who has not yet encountered the disease and the fetus may be at risk) and a non-specific elevation of antibodies in pregnancy or a chronic elevation of antibodies, or an infection in a woman who already knows the disease and is not at risk to the fetus. We will also find out if any of the diseases need to be re-vaccinated before the next pregnancy.

Last but not least, testing is useful in patients with pregnancy losses - it can lead to clarification of the cause.

Newborns:

Examination may be performed in newborns in whom we have demonstrated the following symptoms: heart failure, hearing loss, jaundice, seizures, delayed psychomotor development, low birth weight, enlarged liver or spleen, platelet deficiency, cataracts. The presence of antibodies does not mean that the infection is 100% present; further investigations are necessary and the result should be interpreted about the clinical condition of the child/woman. Cord blood or venous blood may be used in the examination of the newborn.