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Survival after gastrointestinal mucormycosis in a neonate
S Kecskes1, G Reynolds, G Bennett
1Department of Neonatology, Canberra Clinical School, University of Sydney, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal mucormycosis has been reported more frequently in adults than in children. Due to the high mortality diagnosis is usually made at autopsy. Only one case of a neonate surviving this disease has been described. We report a premature infant presenting clinically with enterocolitis but lacking the radiological characteristics of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) Gastrointestinal mucormycosis was diagnosed on the histological specimen. The infant survived after surgery and 6 weeks of antifungal treatment. A high level of suspicion and early surgical intervention are necessary to make the correct diagnosis and commence appropriate treatment.
Insights
Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is rare in neonates and often fatal. This case highlights a premature infant
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare and often fatal fungal infection.
- It is more frequently reported in adults than in children.
- Diagnosis in neonates is challenging, often occurring post-mortem.