Candida endocarditis in a premature infant

Endocarditis is an uncommon complication of invasive candidiasis. We presen t a fatal case of endocarditis caused by Candida albicans in a very low bir th weight infant. The 780-g male infant did not have any structural heart d isease and a central venous catheter was not placed. Endocarditis developed in spite of parenteral fluconazole treatment. Echocardiography was a valua ble tool in making the diagnosis. The infant died on the 40(th) day of life . The development of Candida endocarditis in a premature infant who was tre ated with fluconazole had not been previously reported. In the case of syst emic candidiasis, premature infants require very careful monitoring for the progression of the disease, even if antifungal therapy is administered.