Congenital cutaneous candidiasis associated with respiratory distress in a full-term newborn.

BACKGROUND

Congenital candidiasis is rare occurring in most cases in premature and low birth weight new born. It can produce a spectrum of disease ranging from a diffuse skin eruption to a severe systemic disease with or without skin involvement. Amphotericin B is the first-line agent for the treatment of systemic disease.

AIM: To describe a congenital candidiasis in a full-term newborn.

CASE REPORT: At birth, the newborn had a generalized, erythematous, papulovesicular eruption. He was treated by topic antifungal therapy. However, on the third day, he developed a systemic disease with respiratory distress and fever. Ear, skin swab and gastric aspirate grew to Candida albicans. The newborn was given fluconazole for 10 days with favourable outcome.

CONCLUSION

Early topic therapy did not prevent systemic spread of congenital cutaneous candidiasis in our case. Treatment with fluconazole, as the first-line agent, seems effective and safe.