Systemic candidiasis in premature infants

Four cases of systemic candidiasis in premature infants with different clinical presentations are reported. Diagnosis of the condition can be difficult as clinical manifestations are non-specific and Candida may not be recovered in blood culture. The condition should be suspected in predisposed babies with unabating or deteriorating infections despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. We propose routine microscopic urinary examination for Candida as a screening test for the infection.