torch prenatal check

In addition to taking folic acid tablets to prevent neural tube defects, pregnant women in the pregnancy preparation period also need to go to the hospital for necessary pre-pregnancy physical examinations, among which the TORCH test is particularly necessary. For example, rubella virus infection in early pregnancy can cause the newborn to suffer from congenital rubella syndrome (congenital heart disease, cataracts, deafness, growth and development disorders, etc.). The following is a detailed introduction to the knowledge of torch pre-pregnancy physical examination.

TORCH refers to a group of pathogens: T stands for Toxoplasma gondii, O stands for others, such as hepatitis B virus infection, HIV virus infection, Treponema pallidum, etc.; R stands for rubella virus, C stands for rubella virus, and H stands for herpes simplex virus.

Clinical manifestations

This test is often used as a routine physical examination item for reproductive system infections during pregnancy.

1. Toxoplasma infection Toxoplasma infection is a disease that is common to humans and animals, and cats and other small animals are pathogens. Mild cases of acquired infection are often asymptomatic, but antigens can be detected in blood cells; severe cases can cause various symptoms, such as high fever, muscle or joint pain, lymphadenopathy, etc.; intrauterine infection of the embryo can cause stillbirth, premature birth, and a series of neurological symptoms and congenital damage to the eyes and internal organs may occur after birth.

2. Rubella virus infects pregnant women usually during the 1st to 6th week of pregnancy. In addition to causing miscarriage or death, the baby may also develop congenital rubella syndrome. A positive IgM antibody indicates a recent infection and the pregnancy should be terminated if necessary.

3. A positive test for rubella virus IgM antibody indicates that the patient has recently been infected with rubella virus, but further analysis should be conducted in combination with the clinical condition.

4. Herpes simplex virus mainly causes herpetic stomatitis, eczematous herpes, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis, neonatal herpes, herpetic vulvovaginitis, etc. Infections outside the male reproductive organs are mostly caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, while infections of the male reproductive organs are mostly caused by herpes simplex virus infection type 2. This test cannot distinguish between herpes simplex virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2. A positive IgM antibody test indicates a recent herpes simplex virus infection.