INTRODUCTIONAbortion is an issue in pregnancy wastage with its concomitant social and economic impacts. Among several other causes of foetal loss in human reproduction, TORCH agents are often responsible for abortion and the rate of spontaneous abortion from fetal infection is in range from 10-15%. Primary infection during pregnancy may cause spontaneous abortion or stillbirth.1 Among TORCH agents, Toxoplasma gondii, globally, is the most wide spread parasite causing toxoplasmosis. It occurs during pregnancy as an acute infection. The rubella virus readily invades the placenta and fetus during gestation while CMV is the major cause of congenital infections. 2Approximately 30%-50% fetuses of women who contract rubella during the first 3 months of pregnancy will be adversely affected by the virus.1,2 Primary HSV infection during first half of pregnancy is associated with increased frequency of spontaneous abortions, still births and congenital malformations.3 Infections by TORCH agents are often asymptomatic and chronic. Many sensitive and specific tests are available for eliciting serological evidence of TORCH complex. ELISA for IgM antibodies is a sensitive and reliable test for ascertaining the seroprevalence to assess the association of TORCH infections in cases of abortions in pregnancy. METHODSA total of 63 women admitted in Obstetrics and Gynecology ward with abortion as adverse pregnancy event in current pregnancy formed the study group. Each patient was registered at antenatal clinic and enrolled in study with informed consent. These cases were negative for any previous serological evidence for any of the TORCH agent either IgM &/or IgG. Known cases of chronic medical illness which can affect pregnancy viz. diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal disease were ABSTRACT Background: The aim of present study was to know the TORCH IgM seroprevalence in pregnant women with abortions as adverse reproductive outcome in current pregnancy. Methods: A total of 63 women with abortion as adverse pregnancy event in current pregnancy and a total of 150 women with full term normal pregnancy formed our control group. IgM antibodies against TORCH agents were detected by ELISA and results were expressed qualitatively as positive and negative. Results: Evidence of TORCH infection was seen in 66.7 % of women. Highest percentage was for HSV infection (30.10%) followed by rubella (14.2%), CMV (12.6%), and toxoplasma (9.5%). seropositivity was found highest in age group 21-25 years. Conclusions: TORCH infections during pregnancy cause foetal loss. ELISA test continues to be a useful sensitive technique as the evidence of acute TORCH infections in pregnancy.

Incidence of low birth weight babies can be significantly reduced by providing simple, low-cost care to pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy in the community setting.

Background: During pregnancy, the immune system is suppressed, making the individual susceptible to infections. One of the most common causes of perinatal mortality in developing countries is TORCH infections. Screening for TORCH agents during pregnancy identifies high risk mothers thereby providing the clinician with opportunity to intervene. Methods: A total of two hundred women with adverse pregnancy events in current pregnancy formed the study group while 150 women with normal pregnancy outcome formed control group. Presence of IgM antibodies against TORCH agents were detected by ELISA and results expressed qualitatively as positive or negative. Results: Our study revealed 45.56% women in current pregnancy were positive for IgM serology while in controls it was only 14.67 % (p value <0.0001). The percentage frequency of TORCH agents in terms of IgM seropositivity for toxoplasma was as 14.63%, 15.86% for rubella, 23.17% for CMV, 46.34% for HSV. Conclusions: It may not be possible to screen all patients with adverse reproductive outcome for TORCH but all women with adverse reproductive outcome in current pregnancy should be subjected to TORCH testing, especially to safeguard future pregnancies. The affected females should be counseled regarding continuation of pregnancy but remain under observation and treatment. Positive serology findings as supportive evidence to clinical diagnosis, if kept in consideration, may help manage future pregnancies more effectively.

Schmidt's syndrome, also known as polyglandular deficiency syndrome, is the presence of Addison's disease and hypothyrodism in a single patient. It is usually associated with other autoimmune disorders like vitiligo, diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis. A rare case of an 18-year-old girl having Schmidt's syndrome and vitiligo who presented with puberty menorrhagia is reported. A brief review of the literature is also given.