TORCH Infections

How is the infection diagnosed?

Unfortunately, the diagnosis of a TORCH infection is usually made after the child is born. Diagnosis of a TORCH infection can sometimes be made using blood tests. A TORCH screen checks to see if the baby has been infected by any of the common causes. A culture of different body fluids may also be done. A culture involves taking a sample of tissue or body fluid, such as nasal secretions or the urine. This tissue or fluid is put in special containers to try and get the infection-causing organism to grow. If the organism grows, it can be identified. Skin tests may also be useful for herpes and syphilis.

Various x-ray tests may be done to determine the types of birth defects present. For example, a cranial CT scan may be done to look for brain damage. Formal hearing and vision tests may be done to check these senses. An ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, may be done if a heart defect is suspected.