Congenital and neonatal infections

Abstract

Infections acquired in utero or during the birth process are a significant cause of fetal and neonatal mortality and an important contributor to early and later childhood morbidity. The original concept of the TORCH perinatal infections was to group five infections with similar presentations, including rash and ocular findings (1). This TORCH complex encompasses the infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus both types 1 and 2 and other infective organisms. This review will concentrate on the traditional TORCH infections with Syphilis, Parvovirus B 19, Group B Streptococci infection and Varicella discussed under 'Other Infections(8). Treatments each vary as discussed however no specific therapy for certain infections has yet been established, thus prevention protocols should be heeded to.