title: [The use of caspofungin in extremely low birth weight preterm infants based on clinical trials and reports considering the own experience (case report)].
abstract: In recent years, despite of significant progress in the treatment of premature infants with extremely low body weight, still a significant problem remains severe, treatment-resistant generalized infections among which the percentage of fungal infections is increasing. The invasive candidiasis, especially caused by non-albicans species of Candida, are of particular importance. In the case of resistance on fluconazole and amphotericin B the use of echinocandin drug may be a useful choice. This paper reviews the pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in neonates and children, as well as the case reports and clinical trials on the use of caspofungin in neonates, including the premature infants. We describe also the premature neonate with low birth weight and a generalized infection caused by Candida glabrata, where, despite of the treatment based on the sensitivity of the fungus it did not achieve clinical improvement and sterilization of cultures. It was not until the lead-in of caspofungin in dose 2 mg/kg/day allowed to cure the patient. There was a transient increase in the activity of aminotransferases and level of bilirubin as a complication of treatment. At the end of application of caspofungin the liver functions have been slowly normalized. Caspofungin appeared to be effective in the treatment of systemic fungal C. glabrata in premature neonate with extremely low birth weight. Echinocandins, including caspofungin, appear to be a promising alternative to previously used agents in the treatment of invasive Candida infections in newborns. However, the further randomized trials on the use of caspofungin in preterm neonates, regarding long term follow-up, should be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Noworodków, Krapkowickie Centrum Zdrowia Sp. z o. o., Os. XXX-lecia 21, 47-303 Krapkowice, k.stempniewicz@kcz.krapkowice.pl.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stempniewicz
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Walas
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gregorek-Pełka
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamińska