Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a common consequence of untreated serious fetal TORCH infections?

1. Intrauterine growth retardation

2. Excessive fetal movement

3. Increased birth weight

4. Reduced maternal pregnancy symptoms

The correct answer is: Intrauterine growth retardation

The common consequence of untreated serious fetal TORCH infections is intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). TORCH represents a group of infections that can cause significant complications during pregnancy, including Toxoplasmosis, Other (such as syphilis), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Each of these infections can adversely affect fetal development and lead to various outcomes, including compromised growth. IUGR is characterized by a fetus that is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of gestation. This condition is a direct result of the infections disrupting normal fetal development, which may impair nutrient and oxygen delivery through the placenta. It can lead to lifelong complications for the child, including developmental delays, issues with physical growth, and other health problems. The other options, while related to pregnancy, do not accurately reflect the typical outcomes associated with serious TORCH infections. Excessive fetal movement, for instance, is not a recognized consequence of TORCH infections, and in fact, fetal movement patterns can be altered in the context of IUGR. Increased birth weight contradicts the growth retardation associated with these infections, and reduced maternal pregnancy symptoms does not correlate with the impact of TORCH infections,