Screening of pregnant women for the presence of infectious disease is critical in helping to ensure normal embryogenesis and a healthy birth. Diseases such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and primary CMV infection can profoundly impact fetal development, resulting in loss of the developing embryo or congenital birth defects. Other diseases such as herpes, HIV, and hepatitis B can be transmitted perinatally to the newborn. Testing of expectant mothers for common agents of infection is known as TORCH testing. Early identification of infection and resultant clinical intervention can dramatically reduce vertical transmission rates. Access to TORCH testing is an important component of adequate prenatal care. This webinar will review the common components of TORCH testing and discuss the clinical utility of the testing results.
Speaker: Hans IJpelaar, Drs
Senior Manager
Clinical and Scientific Global Marketing
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Date: Monday, June 30, 2014
Time: 11:00 a.m. EDT; 5:00 p.m. CEST
At the end of this presentation, attendees should be able to:
- Name the most common infections associated with TORCH testing.
- Understand the tests used to identify infection.
- Describe the role of test results as a diagnostic aid in prenatal management.
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