[TORCH serology and group B Streptococcus screening analysis in the population of a maternity].

Introduction: Systematic screening for TORCH infections and group B Streptococcus (GBS) during pregnancy has been an important factor in the improvement of perinatal care.

Aim: To evaluate TORCH serology and GBS carriers state in the population of a maternity, to assess variability with age and nationality and to search for congenital infections.

Material And Methods: Non-probabilistic prevalence study.

Results: 9508 TORCH and 2639 GBS results were registered. Immunity rate for rubella was 93.3%, higher for Portuguese women; for toxoplasmosis it was 25.7%, higher among the oldest and foreign women; IgG for CMV was positive in 62.4%, no influence of age was found. VDRL was reactive in 0.5%; HBsAg was found to be positive in 2.3%, higher in foreign women. Antibodies for hepatitis C virus and HIV were found respectively in 1.4% and 0.7%. No congenital infections were diagnosed. GBS carrier state was found in 13.9%.

Discussion: A high rate of positive IgG was found for rubella reflecting vaccines policy. For toxoplasmosis the low rate of positives means that a high number of pregnant women have to repeat serology during pregnancy with inherent costs. Like in the general population, a high rate of CMV positive mothers was found. For some infections we found that foreign women had different conditions.

Conclusion: Knowledge on TORCH and GBS state helps to better draw guidelines concerning screening policies during pregnancy.