Neonatal fungal infections: when to treat?

Summary Candida infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units. Mortality following Candida bloodstream infections is as high as 40%, and neurodevelopmental impairment is common among survivors. Because invasive fungal infections are common and extremely dif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Early human development 2012-05, Vol.88 (Suppl 2), p.S6-S10
Main Authors:	Hsieh, E, Smith, P.B, Jacqz-Aigrain, E, Kaguelidou, F, Cohen-Wolkowiez, M, Manzoni, P, Benjamin, D.K
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Advanced Basic Science Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use Antifungal therapy Candida Candidiasis, Invasive - drug therapy Central Nervous System Infections - drug therapy Central Venous Catheters Cephalosporins - therapeutic use Empirical Fungemia - drug therapy Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature Infant, Premature, Diseases - drug therapy Infection Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine Neonatal intensive care unit Risk Factors Treatment Outcome
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Summary:	Summary Candida infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units. Mortality following Candida bloodstream infections is as high as 40%, and neurodevelopmental impairment is common among survivors. Because invasive fungal infections are common and extremely difficult to diagnose, empirical treatment with antifungal therapy should be considered in high-risk, low-birth-weight infants who fail to quickly respond to empirical antibacterial treatment. Risk factors to consider when deciding to administer empirical antifungal therapy include: prior exposure to third-generation cephalosporins, extreme prematurity, and presence of central venous catheters.
ISSN:	0378-3782 1872-6232