Current status of invasive fungal infection in pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

The invasive fungal infection(IFI) in PICU has increased steadily during the recent years.Candida spp.and Aspergillus spp.are the most frequently fungi in children.Candida spp.is the leading cause and invasive Candida spp.Infection(ICI) is approximately five times frequency than invasive Aspergillus spp.Infection(IAI). The attributable mortality of ICI or IAI remains different mainly because of different basic diseases.Stay in the PICU presents risk factors for ICI especialy using central venous catheter, parenteral nutrition, dialysis, mechanical ventilation, and prolonged antibiotics application.The patients with hematologic malignancies and leukemia are higher prevalence of IAI who were treated with cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs, broad-spectrum antibiotics and stem cell transplantation.The most important challenge remains to propose targeted prophylaxis and to identify IFI earily in high risk critically ill children in PICU. Key words: Invasive fungal infection; Candida spp.; Aspergillus spp.; Motality; Pediatric intensive care unit