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Antenatal Infection Screening
In Leeds we follow NICE guidelines (available for download at www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/pdf/Antenatal_Care.pdf) for the management and screening of antenatal infections.
Currently these recommend that all pregnant women are tested at booking for
Asymptomatic bacteriuria
Rubella
Hepatitis B
Syphilis
HIV
but are not routinely tested for
Bacterial vaginosis
Hepatitis C
The rationale behind which of these tests is performed is explained within the NICE guideline. We are able to perform all of these tests for specific clinical circumstances explained below.
TORCH screening
Certain findings in pregnancy (particularly on ultrasound) can result from some of the infections mentioned above that are not routinely screened for during pregnancy. In such circumstances a TORCH screen may be suggested
TORCH is a pneumonic and stands for
Rubella
Herpes
In Leeds we also commonly perform screening for Parvovirus as part of the TORCH screen. Results from the screen take up to 10 days to return and can be complicated to analyse depending on the clinical condition that precipitated testing.
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