Which statement best describes TORCH infections?

Which statement best describes TORCH infections?

• A. They are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause mild illness.
• B. They are primarily food-borne pathogens.
• C. They are a group of congenital infections associated with fetal abnormalities.
• D. They never affect the fetus.

Answer: (C)

TORCH infections describe a set of pathogens that can cross the placenta during pregnancy and infect the fetus, leading to congenital abnormalities or other fetal/neonatal issues. The acronym covers Toxoplasma gondii, Other (such as syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus. A pivotal point is that maternal infection may be asymptomatic, yet fetal involvement can cause a spectrum of problems (growth restriction, brain and eye abnormalities, hearing loss, heart or skin findings, etc.) depending on the pathogen and timing of infection. This makes the description of these infections as a group that are associated with fetal abnormalities the best fit. They are not transmitted by mosquitoes and are not primarily food-borne, and they can affect the fetus, so saying they never affect the fetus isn’t accurate.

TORCH infections describe a set of pathogens that can cross the placenta during pregnancy and infect the fetus, leading to congenital abnormalities or other fetal/neonatal issues. The acronym covers Toxoplasma gondii, Other (such as syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus. A pivotal point is that maternal infection may be asymptomatic, yet fetal involvement can cause a spectrum of problems (growth restriction, brain and eye abnormalities, hearing loss, heart or skin findings, etc.) depending on the pathogen and timing of infection. This makes the description of these infections as a group that are associated with fetal abnormalities the best fit. They are not transmitted by mosquitoes and are not primarily food-borne, and they can affect the fetus, so saying they never affect the fetus isn’t accurate.