In a child with hyperbilirubenemia, after exchange transfusion I want to know how significant are the TORCH values,and is it worth doing the test in the first place.
I have recently read much research on testing for TORCH infections. Most of the studies state there is no benefit in general "TORCH titers" as they have been done for years. If you suspect a specific disease, then test for it. Start with maternal history, patient presentation, and rule out the quickest, easiest ones first. If you have some index of suspicion for HSV or CMV, specific tests are urgent as acyclovir for HSV and gancyclovir for CMV (though still a new therapy) must be decided. If there are CNS indicators, be sure to get CSF studies as well.
Yes you can do it but better to specify the needed test according to maternal history and clinical presentations
TORCH infections can be asymptomatic in neonatal period, even in early infancy. So, maternal history is very important. PCR test is also very useful for identification of TORCH infection. However, If you want to know that the infection has been started before the exchange transfusion, you can performed avidity test for mothers of neonates.
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