Serum antibodies against ToRCH agents in pregnant women presenting at a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract

ToRCH infections pose a great risk to the fetus and neonates if the mother is actively infected during pregnancy. This may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, delayed fetal growth and maturation (intrauterine growth retardation), or pre-term delivery. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ToRCH infections in pregnant women in Port Harcourt. Sera from 84 pregnant women between the ages of 16 and 45 were analysed for detectable ToRCH IgM antibodies using the Dia-Pro ToRCH IgM kit. The results from the study showed an IgM seroprevalence rate of 82.1%, with the highest rate of seropositivity obtained among married women (91.0%), Civil servants (92.3%) and women within the age group 25-34 years (92.9%). There was significant relationship between the ToRCH IgM seropositivity and age, marital status and occupational status. The seropositivity of ToRCH agents among pregnant women in Port Harcourt is high, suggesting an acute infection which may adversely affect fetal health. This underscores the need for preventive antenatal screening and universal immunization schemes.