Amphotericin B dosage for disseminated candidiasis in premature infants.

Amphotericin B (Amp-B) serum concentrations were determined in five infants with disseminated candidiasis. All patients had positive blood cultures for Candida and one patient had Candida albicans meningitis. Amp-B sterilized the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid within four to nine days. Total doses of Amp-B varied from 11.6-62.3 mg. There was no laboratory or clinical evidence of renal toxicity. Two infants died of causes unrelated to disseminated candidiasis. Disseminated candidiasis in premature infants was treated successfully with 0.5 mg/kg doses of Amp-B, but further studies with more evaluable cases are needed to confirm the correct dose.