title: Fungal infections in children in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease: a single-centre experience.
abstract: Postoperative infections are still an important problem in cardiac surgery, especially in the paediatric population, and may influence the final outcome of congenital heart disease treatment. Postoperative infections with fungi are uncommon. The aetiology is poorly understood, and the proper diagnosis and treatment is unclear. In this single-centre study, the frequency of invasive fungal disease in children who underwent surgical management of congenital heart diseases was determined along with the risk factors for infection, treatment options and outcomes.
  
  
  
  All consecutive paediatric patients (<18 years of age) who underwent cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease between September 2008 and December 2015 in a paediatric cardiac centre in Poland were identified. Those who developed invasive fungal disease in the early postoperative period (30 days) were identified.
  
  
  
  Of the 1540 cardiosurgical procedures for congenital heart disease, 6 were complicated by fungal infection (0.39%). One patient had a high probability of fungal infection, but the diagnosis was unproved. Nevertheless, the patient was successfully treated with antifungal treatment. Five had proven invasive fungal disease. Of these, 3 were diagnosed with candidaemia. All had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass. Of the remaining 2 patients, 1 was a preterm newborn with complete atrioventricular septal defect who developed rib fungal invasion. The remaining patient had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and developed Fournier's gangrene after surgery. None of the patients died due to infection in the early postoperative period. However, the child with rib fungal invasion died 39 days after surgery as a result of multiorgan failure.
  
  
  
  Fungal infections in paediatric patients after cardiac surgery may markedly influence morbidity and mortality. Fungal infection prophylaxis in this specific group of children may reduce morbidity, whereas early empirical treatment followed by a targeted approach may improve outcomes. The 'hit fast, hit hard' treatment strategy may be the best rescue option for children who develop invasive fungal disease after cardiac surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk, Poland radicis@go2.pl.
authors.forename: Radoslaw
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaworski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk, Poland Chair of Physiotherapy, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Ireneusz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haponiuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Ninela
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Irga-Jaworska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chojnicki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paczkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zielinski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Candida albicans; Candidemia; Fournier gangrene; Invasive fungal disease; Pediatric cardiac surgery