Generalities:

The TORCH syndrome is an infection in the stage of gestation that can affect the fetus. In 1971, the TORCH syndrome was identified by Nehmias to designate an infectious disease that can be generated by various pathogens (acronyms form): Toxoplasma Gondii, Other agents, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes. Many factors intervene in the severity of this condition and its affectation to the fetus, above all it is important to know if it is the first infection of the pathogen or it is a recidivism, being less aggressive in the second case. Also the stage of pregnancy and the health of women are of vital importance.

Within other infecting agents the most common are: HIV-AIDS or fifth disease.

The types of infection can be:

1. Hematogenous - contaminating the blood of the mother that then passes the fetus through the placenta.

2. Birth canal - at the time of delivery

3. Ascending - from the vagina the infection can reach the uterus and infect the amniotic sac.

The possible outcomes of the disease can be:

• Embryo resorption
• Abortion Delay of intrauterine growth with infection
• Premature delivery with infection
• Newborn with symptomatic infection
• Newborn with asymptomatic infection

In the neonate the sequels are mainly neurological damages that affect the cognitive functions: mental retardation, microcephaly, ocular affectation (possible blindness).