Risk factors associated with candidaemia in the neonatal intensive care unit: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care

Background:

• Candidaemia incidence is increasing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
• Limited data exists on maternal and perinatal risk factors for neonatal candidaemia.
• Neonatal risk factors are known, but studies often have small sample sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify modifiable, independent maternal, perinatal, and neonatal risk factors for candidaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
• To analyze risk factors using a retrospective case-control study design.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study involving 56 neonates with candidaemia and matched controls.
• Analysis of maternal, perinatal, and neonatal factors using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
• Matching of control infants for gestational age and birthweight.

Main Results:

• Independent risk factors significantly associated with candidaemia included duration of ventilation and prior bacteraemia.
• Maternal steroid administration demonstrated a significant protective effect against candidaemia.
• The positive predictive value of these three parameters was 78.38%.

Conclusions:

• Minimizing mechanical ventilation duration and preventing bacteraemia are crucial for reducing candidaemia risk.
• Maximizing in-utero steroid treatment in high-risk pregnancies may offer protection.
• These findings can inform targeted prevention strategies in NICUs.