Candidal Sepsis in Very Low-Bith-Weight Infants: Clinical Manifestations and Epidemiology

PURPOSE: With a dramatic improvement in the survival rate of the very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, systemic fungal infections, especially candida sepsis, appear to represent an increasing problem among high risk neonatal patients. So, we evaluated epidemiological and clinical features of candidal sepsis in VLBW infants. METHODS: Among the VLBW infants who were admitted to NICU of the Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University between January 1996 and December 1999. Patients with candidal sepsis, which was proven by cultures, were evaluated for prediposing factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment and sequelae. RESULTS: 1) A total of 22 infants, representing 9.6% of the total admissions of infants with birth weight < 1,500 gram were diagnosed with candidal sepsis during hospitelizations. The mean gestational age was 29.5 weeks (27-36.3 weeks) and the mean birth weight was 1,260 gram (860-1,480 g). 2) The predisposing factors were long-term use of antibiotics, prolonged parenteral hyperalimentation with lipid, indwelling catheter, steroid treatment and mechanical ventilation. 3) The mean age of onset infection was 48 days. The most common presenting clinical manifestations were temperature instability (46.2%), apnea and/or bradycardia (42.3%), feeding intolerance (42.3%), and decreased activity (38.5%). The most common hematologic change was thrombocytopenia (53.9%). 4) The most frequent organism was Candida albicans (65.4%), following by species were C. tropicalis (11.5%), C. lusitaniae (7.7%) and C. parasilosis (7.7%). 5) After treatment of intravenous amphotericin B with or without diflucan, the mortality rate was 13.6% and significant complications were not noted. CONCLUSION: We reviewed the clinical spectrum of candidal sepsis in the VLBW infants in NICU, and concluded that early diagnosis and treatment may be important in improving the mortality and morbidity of VLBWI with candidal sepsis.

Influence of Phototherapy on Incidence of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common disease in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Hemodynamically significant PDA increases the morbidity and mortality of premature infants. Based on experimental model, light inhibits the constriction of immature piglet's ductal rings. No specific mechanism adequately explains the effect of light on the relaxation of PDA. Several hypotheses, including activation of photosensitive metabolites, alterations in receptors, or alterations in prostaglandin metabolism, have been postulated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of phototherapy on incidence of PDA in VLBWI. Mehtods : Sixty-three infants with birth weights less than 1,500 gm from March 1994 to February 1996 who were admitted in NICU of Seoul National University Children's Hospital were included. Thirty-four infants from March 1995 to February 1996 were shielded with aluminium foils on left chest during phototherapy (Shield group) and twenty-nine infants from March 1994 to February 1995 were not shielded (No shield group : control group). We investigated the incidence and the perinatal risk factors of PDA. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of PDA was 18% in shield group and 41% in control group. There was statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05). 2) There was not statistically significant between two groups with gestational age, birth weight, sex, delivery mode, etc. 3) The perinatal risk factors which were statistically significant were group and presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and use of artificial surfactant. With linear logistic regression analysis, only group (OR=8.3, 95% CI=1.17-58.69) and presence of RDS (OR=21.3, 95% CI=1.39-329.81) were proved to be related to the occurrence of PDA. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chest shielding during phototherapy is a simple and inexpensive method to decrease the incidence of PDA.