Abstract
Systemic candidiasis is a serious problem in the VLBW(≤1500g) infant. We carried out a prospective study(l.84-10.84) of Candida colonization(col.) of 251 infants admitted to ICN. All had serial cultures obtained from the mouth, groin, umbilicus and perirectal area on Days 1, 3, 7, and weekly until discharge and other cultures as clinically indicated. Forty-nine(19%) of these infants had positive cultures for Candida: C. albincans 28(58%), C. parapsilosis 18(38%), and C. glabrata 2(4%). However, in VLBW infants, col. with C. parapsilosis was as common as with C. albicans. Col. rates were higher in VLBW infants (47% v 14% p<.05) and gestational age was lower in the col. v noncol. VLBW infants (28.7 v 31.5 wks p<.02). Initial site of col. was the perirectal and/or groin area in 16 of 18 (89%) of the VLBW group.
Three of the 10(30%) colonized babies <100g birthweight developed candidemia:2-C.albicans, 1-C.parapsilosis. There was no CNS involvement.
The use of surveillance cultures for Candida of the perirectal and groin areas may enable more rapid identification of VLBW infants at greatest risk for systemic candidiasis and result in more rapid diagnosis of systemic infection in these infants.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hageman, J., Stenske, J., Keuler, H. et al. 1407 CANDIDA COLONIZATION AND INFECTION IN VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) IN THE INTENSIVE CARE NURSERY (ICN). Pediatr Res 19, 345 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01431
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01431
This article is cited by
-
Risk factors of infection and digestive tract colonization byCandida spp. in a neonatal intensive care unit
European Journal of Epidemiology (1995)
