Stop, think SCORTCH: rethinking the traditional 'TORCH' screen in an era of re-emerging syphilis.
Justin PennerHayley HernstadtJames Edward BurnsPaul RandellHermione LyallPublished in: Archives of disease in childhood (2020)
The traditional 'TORCH screen' focuses on serology-specific investigations, often omits important direct diagnostic testing of the infant, and fails to consider emerging and re-emerging congenital infections. In recognition of syphilis as a re-emerging pathogen and the overlapping clinical presentations of various infectious aetiologies, we advocate for a broader outlook using the SCORTCH diagnostic approach.