Diagnosis and treatment of infections in a neonatal unit--viral infections, spirochete infections and toxoplasma infections
Hansen, T.W.; Gaustad, P.; Rollag, H.; Abrahamsen, T.G.; Finne, P.H.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 113(14): 1701-1705
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 8322295 Document Number: 406894
Viral and protozoal infections are often suspected as causes of neonatal illness or congenital anomalies. The TORCH titer has traditionally been the foremost diagnostic tool in this context, but it is now becoming increasingly clear that this tool is inadequate, partly for conceptual reasons, but also because of the often uncritical way in which it is used. During a recent critical review of our routines and practices for diagnosis and treatment of neonatal infections we also revised our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of suspected pre- or perinatally acquired viral, spirochetal, and protozoal illnesses. The resulting guidelines, originally intended for our house staff, are presented here.