Intelligent IT System Developed to Reduce the Risk of TORCH Congenital Infections

Introduction: TORCH congenital infections have a substantial burden of disease, leading to non-genetic, preventable long-term sequelae. Effective interventions for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of TORCH infections are not implemented in Romania. Furthermore, there is a lack of national protocols and guidelines regarding screening and diagnosis of TORCH congenital infections.

Methods: The current project was carried out as a collaboration between medical experts from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and an information technology team from Stefan S Nicolau National Institute of Virology. The project was supported from UEFISCDI Bridge Grant: PN-III-P2.1-BG-2016-0384 and performed during 2016-2018.

Results: We have developed an intelligent system for pregnant women and medical staff, gathering information about the infections tests in TORCH panel and enclosing algorithms for correct screening and diagnosis of TORCH infections in order to reduce the risk of congenital infections. Using practical and non-invasive electronic resources widely available such as smartphones, the authors have created a website portal (https://www.torch.ro/) and an application for mobile phones (MAMI) which allows women to have quick access to correct information about TORCH infections and tests and more important, to obtain an individualized answer regarding TORCH screening and diagnosis which can contribute to further planning and case management carried out by the physician.

Conclusion: TORCH-IT portal and MAMI app for smartphone, developed to reduce the risk of congenital infections while helping to obtain a correct diagnosis and management, are expected to become valuable resources for both the patient and the physician, as they are unique in Romania.