Which complication can arise from TORCH infections?

TORCH infections refer to a group of congenital infections that can significantly impact pregnancy and fetal development. The acronym stands for Toxoplasmosis, Other (which includes infections like syphilis and varicella), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). One of the notable potential complications of TORCH infections is microcephaly, which is a condition characterized by an abnormally small head size, often associated with developmental delays and neurological deficits.

Microcephaly occurs because the infections may disrupt normal brain development during critical periods of gestation. For instance, Zika virus, classified under the "Other" category, has garnered attention for its strong association with microcephaly when contracted by pregnant individuals. Other TORCH infections, like rubella and CMV, can also lead to similar outcomes as they affect the fetal brain directly or indirectly through inflammatory processes.

While complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and placenta previa are relevant in the context of pregnancy, they are not associated specifically with TORCH infections in the same way microcephaly is. Preeclampsia relates to high blood pressure in pregnancy, gestational diabetes involves glucose management, and placenta