BMC Infectious Diseases (Nov 2009)

Characteristics and outcome of infants with candiduria in neonatal intensive care - a Paediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada (PICNIC) study

  • Langley Joanne M,
  • Hui Charles,
  • Le Saux Nicole,
  • Rubin Earl,
  • Synnes Anne,
  • Asztalos Elizabeth,
  • Simpson Kim,
  • O'Brien Karel,
  • Barton Michelle,
  • Davies H Dele,
  • Robinson Joan L,
  • Sauve Reg,
  • de Repentigny Louis,
  • Kovacs Lajos,
  • Tan Ben,
  • Richardson Susan E

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-9-183
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
p. 183

Abstract

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Abstract Background There is limited information in the literature on the presentation and prognosis of candidal urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This was a prospective cohort study performed in 13 Canadian NICUs. Infants with candidal UTI without extra-renal candidal infection at presentation were enrolled. Results Thirty infants fit the study criteria. Median birth weight and gestational age were 2595 grams (range 575-4255) and 35 weeks (range 24-41) with 10 infants being Conclusion Candidal UTI in the NICU population occurs both in term infants with congenital abnormalities and in preterm infants, and is associated with renal parenchymal disease and extra-renal dissemination. A wide variation in clinical approach was documented in this multicenter study. The overall mortality rate in these infants was significant (30%). In one third of the deaths, Candida infection was deemed to be a contributing factor, suggesting the need for antifungal therapy with repeat evaluation for dissemination in infants who are slow to respond to therapy.