Preventing and treating invasive fungal infection in very low birth weight infants

Abstract

Invasive fungal infection is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Extremely preterm and extremely low birth weight infants are at highest risk due to the intensive and invasive nature of the care that these infants receive. Additional specific risk factors include prolonged use of parenteral nutrition, and exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics and histamine type 2 receptor blockers. Diagnosis is difficult and often delayed and this may contribute to the high levels of deep-organ dissemination and associated mortality and morbidity. The most commonly used anti-fungal agents are amphotericin B and fluconazole. Recent research has assessed the value of early empirical and prophylactic treatment. However, although systemic antifungal prophylaxis reduces the incidence of invasive fungal infection, there is no evidence of effect on mortality. Concern exists about the impact that widespread use of antifungal prophylaxis may have on the emergence of antifungal resistance.