TY - JOUR
T1 - The Utility of Serologic TORCH Testing during Pregnancy for Maternal-related Versus Fetal-related Indications
T2 - A Retrospective Study
AU - Shqara, Raneen Abu
AU - Kaufman, Maya
AU - Or, Shany
AU - Glikman, Daniel
AU - Lowenstein, Lior
AU - Wolf, Maya Frank
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2025/3/1
Y1 - 2025/3/1
N2 - Background: Clear guidelines have not been established about the utility of TORCH serology testing in women for whom TORCH infection is suspected according to clinical and laboratory manifestations during pregnancy. We aimed to compare rates of TORCH infections [specifically cytomegalovirus (CMV), Toxoplasma and rubella] in women who underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-versus fetal-related indications. Methods: This 10-year single-center retrospective study included all the women beyond 24 weeks of gestation who underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-or fetal-related indications. Maternal-related indications included fever, gastroenteritis, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Fetal-related indications included intrauterine growth restriction, polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios. Results: During the study period, 304 women underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-related indications and 771 due to fetal-related indications. For the maternal-related compared with the fetal-related indication group, maternal and congenital TORCH infections were more prevalent (P = 0.015), specifically CMV (P = 0.036). Eight (2.6%) of the women with maternal-related indications had a primary TORCH infection; 4 of them (50%) had concomitant congenital infections. Six (0.8%) of the women with fetal-related indications had a primary infection; none had a related congenital infection. Among the women with maternal-related indications, higher rates of maternal TORCH infection were found among those with thrombocytopenia (7.1%) and elevated liver enzymes (3.0%). During the study period, maternal-indicated TORCH testing detected 10.8% of neonates born with a confirmed TORCH infection. Conclusions: The clinical yield of TORCH serology for nonspecific sonographic fetal features was low. Nonetheless, maternal-related indications should prompt testing for CMV and Toxoplasma infection.
AB - Background: Clear guidelines have not been established about the utility of TORCH serology testing in women for whom TORCH infection is suspected according to clinical and laboratory manifestations during pregnancy. We aimed to compare rates of TORCH infections [specifically cytomegalovirus (CMV), Toxoplasma and rubella] in women who underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-versus fetal-related indications. Methods: This 10-year single-center retrospective study included all the women beyond 24 weeks of gestation who underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-or fetal-related indications. Maternal-related indications included fever, gastroenteritis, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Fetal-related indications included intrauterine growth restriction, polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios. Results: During the study period, 304 women underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal-related indications and 771 due to fetal-related indications. For the maternal-related compared with the fetal-related indication group, maternal and congenital TORCH infections were more prevalent (P = 0.015), specifically CMV (P = 0.036). Eight (2.6%) of the women with maternal-related indications had a primary TORCH infection; 4 of them (50%) had concomitant congenital infections. Six (0.8%) of the women with fetal-related indications had a primary infection; none had a related congenital infection. Among the women with maternal-related indications, higher rates of maternal TORCH infection were found among those with thrombocytopenia (7.1%) and elevated liver enzymes (3.0%). During the study period, maternal-indicated TORCH testing detected 10.8% of neonates born with a confirmed TORCH infection. Conclusions: The clinical yield of TORCH serology for nonspecific sonographic fetal features was low. Nonetheless, maternal-related indications should prompt testing for CMV and Toxoplasma infection.
KW - TORCH infection
KW - Toxoplasma
KW - cytomegalovirus
KW - elevated liver enzymes
KW - thrombocytopenia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85207120415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/inf.0000000000004591
DO - 10.1097/inf.0000000000004591
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C2 - 39387695
AN - SCOPUS:85207120415
SN - 0891-3668
VL - 44
SP - 257
EP - 262
JO - Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
JF - Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
IS - 3
ER -
