Question

A 1-month-old infant female neonate born 6 weeks premature was admitted for surgery to her foot. Several days after hospital discharge, her parents brought her back to the emergency department because she had a high fever and was crying all of the time. Physical examination revealed increased body temperature, increased respiration rate, and increased heart rate. She also had redness around the site of an inserted percutaneous central line related to her surgery.

Her blood count was normal except for decreased concentration of blood platelets. A smear and a culture were taken from the inflamed area. The direct smears revealed the presence of yeast. Pending results of the culture, the patient was started on antifungal therapeutics. She was in admitted to the hospital, where her condition improved within the first 24 hours. Subsequently, the culture demonstrated Canada albicans.

1. Why is the child at-risk for developing an infection of this type?

Answer 1

*Candida albicans are common cause for developing fungal infections in children.in this child risk

factors for developing candida albicans infections are

                                    * Premature infant.

                                    * Use of antibiotics after surgery (Use of some antibiotics promote colonization

                                       of fungus through destroying competing bacterial flora.)

                                    * If the percutaneous central line site is not clearly cleaned and closed during

                                      removal of the line it enhance chances of invasion of candida albicans into

                                      the blood stream through the site.