Congenital infections in Hong Kong: an overview of TORCH

Abstract

Congenital infections refer to a group of perinatal infections that may have similar clinical presentations, including rash and ocular findings. TORCH is the acronym that covers these infections (toxoplasmosis, other [syphilis], rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus). There are, however, other important causes of intrauterine/perinatal infections, including enteroviruses, varicella zoster virus, Zika virus, and parvovirus B19. Intrauterine and perinatal infections are significant causes of fetal and neonatal mortality and important contributors to childhood morbidity. A high index of suspicion for congenital infections and awareness of the prominent features of the most common congenital infections can help to facilitate early diagnosis, tailor appropriate diagnostic evaluation, and if appropriate, initiate early treatments. In the absence of maternal laboratory results diagnostic of intrauterine infections, congenital infections should be suspected in newborns with certain clinical features or combinations of clinical features, including hydrops fetalis, microcephaly, seizures, cataract, hearing loss, congenital heart disease, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, or rash. Primary prevention of maternal infections during pregnancy is the cornerstone of prevention of congenital infection. Available resources should focus on the promotion of public health.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Herpes simplex; Rubella; Syphilis; Toxoplasmosis.