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Risk factors for Candida infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in Costa Rica

María L Avila-Aguero1, Alejandro Canas-Coto, Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez

  • 1Pediatric Infectious Disease Division, National Children's Hospital, San José, Costa Rica. maluvi@racsa.co.cr

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|February 15, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Candida infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are common. Survival was linked to the absence of specific symptoms like seizures and apnea.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections, particularly candidemia, pose a significant threat to neonates in intensive care settings.
  • Understanding risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors for Candida infections in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  • To compare risk factors between neonates who survived and those who died from candidemia.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of neonates with positive Candida spp. blood cultures admitted to a Costa Rican NICU from 1994 to 1998.
  • Data collected via computerized microbiology laboratory records.

Main Results:

  • 110 neonates were identified; 34% died, with 54% of deaths occurring within three days of diagnosis.
  • Candida albicans (90%) and Candida tropicalis (10%) were the primary species identified.
  • Survival differences were associated with axillary-inguinal lesions, apnea, and seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Invasive fungal infections are frequent in the NICU population.
  • Further prospective case-control studies are recommended to validate these findings and inform clinical practice.

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