AMPHOTERICIN-B IN THE TREATMENT OF CANDIDA-MENINGITIS IN 3 NEONATES

Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection and may result in significan t morbidity and mortality in neonates. Cerebral candidiasis is rare an d usually associated with systemic candidiasis. Information concerning the toxicity and efficacy of antifungal therapy for neonates is limit ed. In this report, we present three neonates with candidiasis. All of the patients were premature with low birth weights, and received anti biotic therapy for one to four weeks before the onset of candidiasis. Candida albicans was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Ampho tericin B was given administered at an initial dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day intravenously (IV) and increased to a dosage of 2 mg/kg/day, and thera py was continued for three to four weeks. A transient and mild elevati on in hepatic enzyme concentration was observed in two patients, and t ransient thrombocytopenia occurred in all of them.