The TORCH profile is a set of tests performed to find the cause of premature birth or abortion. TORCH is used to screen pregnant women and infants for infections such as toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex and rubella. These infections can be serious if they occur during pregnancy because they can pass from the mother to the developing fetus through the placenta and can cause congenital defects including delayed growth and nervous system problems in the baby.

Blood from either the mother or the newborn infant may be tested to determine if the newborn’s illness is caused by one of these infections.