Epidemiology of Candidemia in Neonates and Children: A Single Center Experience from 2001 to 2006

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated epidemiological and clinical features of candidemia in neonates and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of hospitalized neonates and children with positive blood cultures for Candida species from September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2006. RESULTS: Among 39 total neonates and children with candidemia, the median age was 4 months (interquartile range, 1-28) and overall mortality was 33%. Candida species included Candida albicans (56%), Candida parapsilosis (23%) and Candida glabrata (15%). There was a tendency of proportional increase of candidemia due to non-albicans species (13% in 2001 vs 91% in 2006; P=0.01). Compared with children older than 1 month of age, the proportion of C. parapsilosis was significantly higher in neonates with candidemia (58% vs 7%; P=0.001). C. albicans was isolated more commonly from those who had undergone surgical intervention before candidemia (55% vs 18%; P<0.05). C. parapsilosis was isolated more commonly from premature neonates (78% vs 27%; P=0.015). C. glabrata was isolated more commonly from those who had neutropenia before candidemia (67% vs 12%; P=0.011). CONCLUSION: Candidemia by C. albicans was more commonly in surgical patients; by C. parapsilosis in premature neonates; by C. glabrata in neutropenic patients.