title: Fluconazole therapy in neonatal candidemia.
abstract: We reviewed 62 episodes (from 59 infants) of neonatal candidemia that occurred between January 1994 and June 1999. Except 5 term babies, all infants were premature (median gestational age [GA], 30 weeks) and birth weight was less than 2,500 g (median, 1,300 g). Most infants had reported risk factors and other neonatal problems. The age at onset of candidemia ranged from 15 to 173 days with a median of 34 days. In addition to catheter removal, all but one infants received antifungal agents and candidemia was eradicated subsequently in 46 episodes (75%). Eighteen infants with 19 episodes ever received fluconazole therapy. Fluconazole was administered as the first line agent in 6 episodes and successfully cleared candidemia in 5 episodes. Fluconazole was used as an alternative agent in an additional 13 episodes after amphotericin B (am B) +/- flucytosine were given for a period without a satisfactory result and eradication of candidemia was achieved in 8 episodes subsequently. All 18 infants tolerated fluconazole well and no withdrawal was required on account of its adverse effect. In contrast, am B alone was administered as the first line agent in 55 episodes and successfully cleared candidemia in 32 episodes (58%). This retrospective analysis suggests that fluconazole appears to be safe in neonates and can be used as an alternative agent in treating neonatal candidemia. A large-scaled prospective study may be needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016469:Fungemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole