[Candida endocarditis in the first year of life]

Candida is an increasing problem as a causal agent of nosocomial infection in neonates and infants. We report 15 cases of infective endocarditis caused by Candida spp treated at the Hospital Infantil de Mexico between 1980 and 1991. The diagnosis of endocarditis was established by the identification of Candida in at least two blood cultures and echocardiographic assessment. From 110 cases of systemic candidiasis during the eleven years period of study, fifteen patients presented endocarditis (13.6%), all had a central venous catheter. Three had antecedent of congenital heart disease. Candida isolation was obtained an average of 28 days after admission. The major clinical findings were: fever in 13 patients, respiratory distress and cardiac murmurs observed in nine respectively. Thrombocytopenia was present in eight children. The echocardiographic evaluation showed vegetations located in the superior vena cava in six, right atrium in five, tricuspid valve in two, inferior vena cava and right ventricle in one respectively. Three cases were subjected to surgical treatment. Nine patients died for a case fatality rate of 60%. The echocardiographic evaluation practiced in all patients with suspicion of systemic candidiasis is critical for the prognosis. The identification of endocardiac involvement coupled with the opportune administration of antifungal therapy and surgical treatment may improved the survival.