TORCH screen

The TORCH panel test is used to help diagnose infections that could harm the fetus during pregnancy. TORCH is an acronym of the five infections covered in the screening:

• Toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by a parasite commonly picked up from cat stools. Babies can get congenital toxoplasmosis. If untreated, it can cause blindness, deafness, seizures, and intellectual disability.

• Other, including syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that a mother can pass on to a fetus during pregnancy. Syphilis can cause a baby to be stillborn, and can also cause premature labor, birth defects, low birth weight, and deafness.

• Rubella. Rubella, also called German measles, is a viral infection that can easily be passed from person to person through sneezing or coughing. Rubella is less common today because a vaccine protects against it. But pregnant women with rubella can pass the virus to a fetus, which may be a serious condition. Rubella can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth, as well as problems with the heart, vision, hearing, and growth of the fetus.

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is a type of herpesvirus and is the most common congenital infection in babies. Congenital means present at birth. Mothers can get CMV by sexual contact or contact with bodily fluids like saliva from a person who has CMV. CMV can cause long-term problems in infants, including problems with vision, hearing, and mental development.

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Pregnant women can get the genital herpes simplex virus through sexual contact with an infected person and can pass the infection along to the developing fetus during delivery. HSV in babies can cause low birth weight, miscarriage, and preterm birth. It can also cause sores that affect the skin, eyes, and mouth, and brain and organ damage.

These infections can cause serious problems during pregnancy, so it's important to find them early in pregnancy so that they can be treated, if treatment is possible. Women often get the TORCH screening test at their first prenatal visit. Your healthcare provider will tell you if he or she recommends the TORCH screening.

You may need this test if you are pregnant. This test may also be done on newborn babies to diagnose any possible infections.

You may have other prenatal screening tests done at the same time, including:

• HIV test

• Test for Down syndrome or other chromosome conditions 

• Gestational diabetes test  

A result for a lab test may be affected by many things, including the method the lab uses to do the test. If your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your healthcare provider.

The TORCH panel test results show whether you have any of these infections. Normal test results will show that you do not have any of the viruses, bacteria, or parasites screened for in the test. Positive test results will show that you have one or more of these viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. 

Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. 

Nothing is likely to affect the results of this test. Your healthcare provider will tell you if any of your medicines may affect the test and if you should avoid them before having the test.

You probably don't need to do anything special to prepare for the test. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to avoid medicines, eating, or drinking the day of the test. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illicit drugs you may use.