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Rachel V Thomas

Rare Pregnancy Infections Linked To 3-Fold Higher Autism Risk: What Is TORCH?

Rare infections transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby may be linked to a higher risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/autism">autism</a></span> and intellectual disability, according to a large new study.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that children with congenital <span>TORCH infections</span> had about three times the risk of autism compared with children without these infections.

TORCH refers to infections that can be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy, including:

<ul><li><strong>T = </strong>Toxoplasma </li><li><strong>O = </strong>Other (including infections such as syphilis): </li><li><strong>R =</strong> <span rel="noindex">Rubella</span></li><li><strong>C =</strong> Cytomegalovirus (CMV)</li><li><strong>H =</strong> <span rel="noindex">Herpes</span> simplex virus</li></ul>

These infections can cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus.

“It is important to emphasize that it is unusual for these infections to be transmitted from mother to child. They account for a very small proportion of all cases of autism in the population, but for those children who are actually affected, we see a clearly elevated risk of both autism and intellectual disability,” said Reneé Gardner, a researcher at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet.

<h2>TORCH Infections And Autism Risk</h2>

Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study analysed data from 3.7 million people born in Sweden between 1987 and 2021. Of these, 975 had a diagnosed congenital TORCH infection. The participants were followed for up to three decades.

Compared with children without a congenital TORCH infection, those with one were:

<ul><li>About three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism</li><li>More than seven times more likely to have an intellectual disability</li><li>Up to 30 times more likely to have severe to profound intellectual disability</li></ul>The researchers estimated that about one in five children born with a TORCH infection may later develop autism. However, they stressed that these infections are rare and account for a very small proportion of autism cases overall.

<h2>What Did The Sibling Comparison Show?</h2>

The researchers also compared children with TORCH infections with their unaffected siblings to assess whether shared family factors could explain the findings.

The results were similar, suggesting that the associations were not explained solely by factors shared within families.

No clear association was found between TORCH infections and ADHD or obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, children with the infections had poorer academic performance on average, even when they did not have an autism or intellectual disability diagnosis.

<h2>Can TORCH Infections Be Prevented?</h2>

“Although these congenital infections are rare, some of them can be prevented, which makes them important from a public health perspective,” Gardner said.

The researchers also noted that rubella has virtually disappeared in Sweden following the introduction of national vaccination program. The prevention also depends on the infection:

<ul><li><strong>Toxoplasmosis:</strong> Avoid raw or undercooked meat, wash produce and take precautions when handling cat feces.</li><li><strong>Syphilis and other infections:</strong> Pregnancy screening and appropriate treatment can reduce transmission.</li><li><strong>Rubella:</strong> MMR vaccination before pregnancy can prevent infection.</li><li><strong>CMV:</strong> Good hand hygiene and avoiding contact with young children's saliva and urine can reduce exposure.</li><li><strong>Herpes simplex:</strong> Identifying and managing genital herpes during pregnancy can reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn. Caesarean delivery may be recommended in some cases when active lesions are present during labor.</li></ul>The findings underline the importance of vaccination, pregnancy screening and other measures to prevent infections that can be transmitted to the fetus.

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Rare infections transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby may be linked to a higher risk of autism and intellectual disability, according to a large new study.Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that children with congenital TORCH infections had about three times the risk of autism compared with children without these infections.What Is TORCH?TORCH refers to infections that can be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy, including:T = Toxoplasma O = Other (including infections such as syphilis): R = RubellaC = Cytomegalovirus (CMV)H = Herpes simplex virusThese infections can cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus.“It is important to emphasize that it is unusual for these infections to be transmitted from mother to child. They account for a very small proportion of all cases of autism in the population, but for those children who are actually affected, we see a clearly elevated risk of both autism and intellectual disability,” said Reneé Gardner, a researcher at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet.TORCH Infections And Autism RiskPublished in JAMA Pediatrics, the study analysed data from 3.7 million people born in Sweden between 1987 and 2021. Of these, 975 had a diagnosed congenital TORCH infection. The participants were followed for up to three decades.Compared with children without a congenital TORCH infection, those with one were:About three times more likely to be diagnosed with autismMore than seven times more likely to have an intellectual disabilityUp to 30 times more likely to have severe to profound intellectual disabilityThe researchers estimated that about one in five children born with a TORCH infection may later develop autism. However, they stressed that these infections are rare and account for a very small proportion of autism cases overall.What Did The Sibling Comparison Show?The researchers also compared children with TORCH infections with their unaffected siblings to assess whether shared family factors could explain the findings.The results were similar, suggesting that the associations were not explained solely by factors shared within families.No clear association was found between TORCH infections and ADHD or obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, children with the infections had poorer academic performance on average, even when they did not have an autism or intellectual disability diagnosis.Can TORCH Infections Be Prevented?“Although these congenital infections are rare, some of them can be prevented, which makes them important from a public health perspective,” Gardner said.The researchers also noted that rubella has virtually disappeared in Sweden following the introduction of national vaccination program. The prevention also depends on the infection:Toxoplasmosis: Avoid raw or undercooked meat, wash produce and take precautions when handling cat feces.Syphilis and other infections: Pregnancy screening and appropriate treatment can reduce transmission.Rubella: MMR vaccination before pregnancy can prevent infection.CMV: Good hand hygiene and avoiding contact with young children's saliva and urine can reduce exposure.Herpes simplex: Identifying and managing genital herpes during pregnancy can reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn. Caesarean delivery may be recommended in some cases when active lesions are present during labor.The findings underline the importance of vaccination, pregnancy screening and other measures to prevent infections that can be transmitted to the fetus.

rare pregnancy infections linked to 3-fold higher autism risk: what is torch?

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