Causes & Risk Factors
Congenital infection (TORCH)
Congenital infections, sometimes grouped as TORCH infections, are infections passed during pregnancy that can cause hydrocephalus.
In short: Congenital infection (TORCH)
- They are infections passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.
- "TORCH" groups several such infections.
- Some can damage the brain and cause hydrocephalus.
- Examples include toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus.
What it is
Congenital infections are infections transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy. They are sometimes grouped under the acronym TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes), several of which can affect the developing brain.
Understanding Congenital infection (TORCH)
Certain infections passed during pregnancy can damage the developing brain and disrupt the CSF pathways, causing hydrocephalus. Toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are among the congenital infections most associated with hydrocephalus and other brain findings, such as calcifications. The effects depend on the specific infection and its timing in pregnancy. Congenital infections are one of the causes considered when evaluating a baby with hydrocephalus, particularly when other findings suggest an infectious cause, and testing can help identify them.
Why it matters
Understanding congenital infections helps families see how infections passed during pregnancy can cause hydrocephalus, and why testing for these infections may be part of evaluating a baby with hydrocephalus.
Common questions
What are congenital (TORCH) infections?
Infections passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Can they cause hydrocephalus?
Some can, by affecting the developing brain.
Which are most associated with it?
Toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus, among others.
Bottom line
Congenital (TORCH) infections are infections passed during pregnancy, some of which can damage the brain and cause hydrocephalus.
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