الفهرس 
Prematurity and co-morbiditiesOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Systemic fungal infection has increasingly become a significant problem
in preterm infants cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Colonization with Candida has been identified as the major risk factor
and the first step in development of candidaemia. The NICU babies
become colonized very early as about 10% of these babies get colonized in
the first week of life and up to 64% of them get colonized by 4th week of
hospital stay. The gastrointestinal tract is the first to become colonized
through multiple sites and skin also may be involved.
Aim of the work: The purpose of the study was to determine colonization
of Candida species in preterm babies and to identify its risk factors.
Patients and methods:
The study was carried out at neonatal intensive care units in children
hospital, Cairo University and included 50 preterm neonates (<37 weeks).
All included cases were subjected to taking history, examination and
laboratory assessment. Swabs from the oral cavity, rectum, groin and
umbilicus were taken on admission and after one week. Cultures on
Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) were done for 24 hours and Candida
species were identified using API (Biomerieux, France).
Results: The overall Candida colonization rate was 42%, Candida albicans
was the commonest species. Identified risk factors were low birth weight,
multifetal pregnancy, delayed admission, bacterial sepsis and
administration of vancomycin.
Abstract
Conclusion: Candida colonization is increasing in preterm neonates
especially very low birth weight( <1.5 kg) with attention to its risk factors.
Keywords: Candida colonization, preterm neonates, invasive fungal
infection.