Early- and late-onset candidemia in very low birth weight infants in the Korean neonatal network, 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND

Candidiasis is a critical infection that is associated with very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g). This study investigated the characteristics and clinical presentation of candidiasis in Korean VLBW infants according to the onset of candidemia.

METHODS

All VLBW infants with candidemia, defined as blood culture-positive candidiasis and registered in a multicenter database with data from 70 neonatal units of the Korean Neonatal Network between 2013 and 2017, were included in this study. Early-onset candidemia (EOC; ≤10 days) and late-onset candidemia (LOC; >10 days) were analyzed. The demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, and outcomes of candidemia were also determined.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of candidemia was 2% (209/10,397) and 4% (173/3934) in VLBW and extremely very low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) infants, respectively. In ELBW infants, gestational age was significantly younger at EOC than at LOC (P = 0.015). Cesarean section, respiratory distress syndrome, severe bronchopulmonary disease, pulmonary hemorrhage, prior-bacteremia, neonatal seizures, and periventricular leukomalacia were significantly more common in the LOC group than in the EOC group (P < 0.05). The duration of invasive ventilation, total parenteral nutrition, and hospital stay were significantly longer in the LOC group than in the EOC group (P < 0.05). Most infections were caused by Candida spp. (91.8%). The mortality rate of ELBW infants with candidemia was 41%, which was higher than that of those without candidemia (29%) (P < 0.001). Mortality due to infection was also higher in infants with candidemia (55%) than in those without candidemia (15%) (P < 0.001); however, there were no significant differences between the EOC and LOC groups.

CONCLUSIONS

LOC was more common than EOC in VLBW infants. Considering the risk factors of LOC, active weaning from invasive ventilators and aggressive enteral feeding are required to decrease LOC. Furthermore, preventing candidemia is necessary to reduce mortality in VLBW infants.