Background.

Candida species are important nosocomial pathogens in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients.

Methods.

A prospective cohort study was performed in six geographically diverse NICUs from 1993 to 1995 to determine the incidence of and risk factors for candidemia, including the role of gastrointestinal (GI) tract colonization. Study procedures included rectal swabs to detect fungal colonization and active surveillance to identify risk factors for candidemia. Candida strains obtained from the GI tract and blood were analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis to determine whether colonizing strains caused candidemia.

Results.

In all, 2847 infants were enrolled and 35 (1.2%) developed candidemia (12.3 cases per 1000 patient discharges or 0.63 case per 1000 catheter days) including 23 of 421 (5.5%) babies≤ 1000 g. After adjusting for birth weight and abdominal surgery, forward multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant risk factors, including gestational age< 32 weeks, 5-min Apgar< 5; shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, prior use of intralipid, parenteral nutrition, central venous catheters, H2 blockers, intubation or length of stay> 7 days before candidemia (P< 0.05). Catheters, steroids and GI tract colonization were not independent risk factors, but GI tract colonization preceded candidemia in 15 of 35 (43%) case patients.

Conclusions.

Candida spp. are an important cause of late onset sepsis in NICU patients. The incidence of candidemia might be decreased by the judicious use of treatments identified as risk factors and avoiding H2 blockers.