What condition is associated with limb hypoplasia in the context of TORCH infections?

Limb hypoplasia, which refers to the underdevelopment or incomplete formation of limbs, is indeed associated with congenital infections, particularly those in the TORCH group. In the context of TORCH infections, the Varicella (chickenpox) infection is notable for its potential to lead to limb hypoplasia when the maternal infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The mechanism behind this is likely related to teratogenic effects of the virus on developing tissues during critical periods of limb formation. When the Varicella zoster virus infects a pregnant woman, the developing fetus is at risk for various anomalies, including limb malformations, as well as other conditions like cicatricial skin lesions and neurological issues.

While other infections listed, such as Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus, and Syphilis, can lead to a range of congenital abnormalities, they are not as specifically associated with limb hypoplasia in the same way that Varicella is. Each of these other infections has its own set of characteristic findings; for instance, Cytomegalovirus is often linked to microcephaly and hearing loss, while Syphilis may cause skeletal abnormalities but not specifically limb hypoplasia. Thus, Varicella