Candidemia and its Risk Factors in Neonates and Children

 The present study was conducted to raise attention to the frequency of Candida spp. and evaluation of risk factors of candidemia in hospitalized neonates and children.

 Identification of Candida at species level was done using the PCR-RFLP method. The Candida albicans complex and Candida parapsilosis complex were differentiated using the HWP1 gene amplification and PCR-RFLP with NlaIII restriction enzyme, respectively.

 Out of 75 blood culture specimens, 42 (84%) cases were positive for Candida spp. of whom 30 (71.42%) and 12 (28.57%) cases were female and male, respectively. Thirty-two (76%) candidemia were presented in pediatrics with 6 years up to 12 years, 10 (23.80%) in neonates of one month or less. In the present study, Candida parapsilosis (n =25; 59.52%) was the most prevalent isolated species followed by C. albicans (n =11; 26.19%), C. tropicalis (n =4; 9.52%), and Candida glabrata (n =2; 4.76%).

 According to potentially dangerous complications of bloodstream infection by Candida spp. in neonates and children, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the underlying conditions and risk factors of this disease.