Incidence and factors associated with Candida infection in neonatal diaper dermatitis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo study if the incidence of Candida infection of diaper dermatitis (DD) and to assess if it is associated with clinical factors. MethodsA prospective observational study was performed at the neonatal care unit of Donostia University Hospital. The unit's treatment protocol was applied to all neonates with DD. Cultures were collected from those in whom DD was still present on the third day. ResultsOf the 66 DD cases, 9 cultures were collected. For Candida albicans 2 were positive. The incidence of Candida overinfection was of 22.2%. The relationship between the studied clinical factors and Candida overinfection was not statistically significant. ConclusionsThe small size of the sample makes it difficult to justify and compare the obtained results with those compiled in the literature review. On the other hand, the present study shows that the protocol for DD achieves a high improvement/healing rate.