TORCH infection

Is an acronym meaning
T-oxoplasmosis
O-ther Agents (syphilis, hepatitis B virus

and human immunodeficiency virus HIV)

R-ubella (also known as German Measles)
C-ytomegalovirus
H-erpes Simplex
are some of the most common infections associated with
congenital anomalies

Infection of a fetus by any of a group of

infectious agents which have been

transmitted from the mother through the
placenta.
The occurrence of these infections can

involve either sexually transmitted or

through systemic infection.

TOXOPLASMOSIS
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite

called Toxoplasmagondii.
You can get the infection from handling soil or cat
litter that contains cat feces infected with the
parasite.
You can also get it from eating undercooked meat
from animals infected with the parasite or from
uncooked foods that have come in contact with
contaminated meat.

Women infected with toxoplasmosis can transmit

the infection across the placenta to their unborn

baby.
Most babies infected during pregnancy show no sign

of toxoplasmosis when they are born, but they may

develop learning, visual, and hearing disabilities
later in life.

If a pregnant woman infected with Toxoplasmosis a

result that can happen is :
spontaneous abortion or miscarriage (4%)
birth and death (3%) or infants suffering from

congenital toxoplasmosis.
On congenital toxoplasmosis, symptoms can
appear as an adult, such as eye and ear disorders,
mental retardation, seizures and encephalitis.

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis
The clinical manifestations experienced by a pregnant
woman with toxoplasmosis are the following:
Myalgia
Body malaise
Rash
Splenomegaly
Cervical lymphadenopathy

If the infection crosses the placenta, the infant may be

born with the following problems:
Central nervous system damage
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly
Intracerebral calcification
Retinal deformities

TREATMENT
The toxoplasmosis can be treated during pregnancy

with antibiotics.
The earlier the infection is identified and treated, the

greater the chance of preventing infection of the

unborn child. The baby can be treated with drugs
that are taken throughout the first year of life, and in
some cases even longer.

Nursing Management for Toxoplasmosis

Therapy with Sulfonamides Sulfadiazine, if the

diagnosis is established by serum analysis during

pregnancy. However, the prevention of fetal
deformities is uncertain. Taking this medication also
leads to increased bilirubin in newborns.
Pyrimethamine, an antiprotozoal agent can also be

used. Pregnant women taking this drug must be

monitored early in pregnancy as this drug is an
antifolic drug that reduces folic acid levels.