Candida infections in newborns: a review

Despite adequate treatment, nosocomial fungal infections have become an inc reasingly important cause of morbidity, extended hospitalization, and morta lity in critically ill newborn babies. Furthermore, the high incidence of c entral nervous system involvement in septic newborns frequently results in serious neurological damage and psychomotorial sequelae, The prevention of fungal colonization in the population at risk, together w ith prompt diagnosis acid treatment, are an efficient combination which lea d to a better outcome of neonatal fungal infections, New drugs characterized by great efficacy and tolerance have recently been employed in clinical practice. This article summarizes certain aspects of Candida spp. infections in the n eonatal period with regard to multisystemic presentation and involvement.