Health guide
TORCH test in pregnancy: the infections that can affect your baby
TORCH is a group of infections that can pass from mother to baby and affect a developing pregnancy: Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes, and a few others. The TORCH panel checks for antibodies to these, ideally before pregnancy or early in it, so any risk can be managed. Most results are reassuring, and the test exists to catch the uncommon case early.
Reviewed by Dr. Vishal Singh, Lab Director
When a TORCH test is advised
- Planning a pregnancy (ideally before conceiving)
- Early in a confirmed pregnancy, as routine screening
- A history of recurrent miscarriage
- Fever, rash, or flu-like illness during pregnancy
- No record of rubella (German measles) vaccination
- An abnormal finding on an anomaly scan
What IgG and IgM mean
For each infection the panel reports two antibodies. IgG usually means a past infection or vaccination, and so often signals immunity. IgM suggests a recent or active infection, which may need a closer look. The pattern of IgG and IgM together is what your doctor interprets. A single positive line is not a diagnosis.
Why timing matters
Testing before pregnancy is ideal because it shows which infections you are already immune to (such as rubella) and which to protect against. In pregnancy, the result guides whether any extra monitoring or treatment is needed. Always review TORCH results with your obstetrician rather than acting on them alone.
This guide is for general information and is not a diagnosis. Always discuss your symptoms and results with a doctor. LabONE includes a free doctor consultation with every report.
Tests that help
Recommended panel
MaternityShield
11 parameters in one panel
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive TORCH IgG mean?
IgG usually indicates a past infection or vaccination, which often means you are immune. It is the IgM result and the overall pattern that your doctor uses to judge a recent or active infection.
When should the TORCH test be done?
Ideally before conceiving, or early in pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy testing is most useful because it shows which infections you are already protected against.
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