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Risk factors for invasive candidiasis in infants >1500 g birth weight

Jan Hau Lee1, Christoph P Hornik, Daniel K Benjamin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Invasive candidiasis is rare in infants over 1500g birth weight. Key risk factors include broad-spectrum antibiotics and low platelet counts, increasing mortality risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Critical Care

Background:

  • Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a serious infection in neonates.
  • Understanding incidence and risk factors in higher birth weight infants is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of invasive candidiasis in infants weighing >1500 g at birth.
  • To identify specific risk factors associated with IC in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of infants >1500 g birth weight.
  • Data collected from 305 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) between 2001 and 2010.
  • Multivariable logistic regression used to identify risk factors for IC.

Main Results:

  • IC incidence was 0.06% (330/530,162 infants).
  • Significant risk factors included: later day of life (>7 days), vaginal birth, broad-spectrum antibiotics, central venous lines, and low platelet count (<50,000/mm³).
  • Infants with IC had increased mortality (OR: 2.2).

Conclusions:

  • Invasive candidiasis is uncommon in infants >1500 g birth weight.
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure and low platelet counts (<50,000/mm³) are significant risk factors.
  • Early identification and management of these risk factors are important for improving outcomes.
Abstract

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