Fluconazole in the management of neonatal systemic candidiasis
Narang, A.; Agrawal, P.; Chakraborti, A.; Kumar, P.
Indian Pediatrics 33(10): 823-826
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 9057379 Document Number: 468819
The role of fluconazole in the management of neonatal systemic candidosis was evaluated in a retrospective analysis of neonates seen in India during September 1994-August 1995. 23 neonates diagnosed with systemic candidosis based on clinical suspicion with blood and/or urine cultures positive for Candida were treated with fluconazole (5 mg/kg daily) for >7 days. Infants had a mean birth weight of 1590+or-533 g, mean gestation 32.3+or-3.1 weeks and fungal sepsis was diagnosed at a mean age of 14.3+or-7.9 days. C. albicans (43.5%), C. tropicalis (21.7%), C. guilliermondii (13%), C. parapsilosis (13%) and C. krusei (8.7%) were the species isolated. Fluconazole was effective in 82.3% of cases with no side effects. Four resistant cases were caused by C. parapsilosis (n=2), C. albicans (n=1) and C. guilliermondii (n=1) and there were 3 deaths, all in resistant cases although 1 death was unrelated to candidaemia. It is concluded that fluconazole is a safe and effective drug for neonatal systemic candidosis.