SYSTEMIC CANDIDIASIS IN PRETERM NEO NATES Salient, M.S. (M.D.)*; El Mishad, M. (Ph. D.)** and Rabie, M.F. (Ph.D.)** From Department of Pediatrics*, Benha University & Department of Microbiology**, Al - Azhar University. ABSTRACT A total of 27 neonates aged from 2 to 30 days with proven systemic candidiasis as documented by the presence of candidaemia were, evaluated. They were 12 males (44.4%) & 15 females (55.6%) with a mean geslalional age of 33.15 ± 2.98 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1.891 ± 0.588 kgm. The onest of candidiasis was at a mean age of 10.37 ± 6.96 days. The risk factors associated with candidaemia in those patients were antibiotic therapy (100%), oral moniliasis (62.9%). mechanical ventilation (59.3/Jfsteroid therapy (51.9%), tube feeding (40.7%), central venous catheter and diaper dermatitis (22.2% each)-The common clinical features associated with candidaemia were skin mottling (66.7%), respiratory deterioration (59.3%), poor feeding (55.6%), fever (51.9%), hypotension (37%) and bleeding tendency (29.6%). The Candida species isolated were C. albicans (74%), C. tropicalis (14.8%), C. parapsillosis (7.4%,) and C. krusei (3.7%). All patients received systemic antifungal drug for more than 7 days with fresh frozen plasma and followed up for clinical, laboratory ami mycological improvement. The cure rate was 88.9%. The clinical improvement appeared after a mean of 3.75 ± 0.79 days of treatment while complete cure with disappearance of all pretreatment signs & symptoms occurred after a mean of 7.58 ± 1.50 days. A positive mycologic response with negative candidal growth by blood culture occured after the first week in 75% of cases. Three patients resist treatment and died within the period of treatment, two with C. parapsillosis and one with C. albicans. The Gaz. Egypt. Paed. Vol.46 No. 2 April, 1998