Candida Infections in Children

Introduction to Candida Infections in Children

Candida infections, also known as candidiasis, are fungal infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. While Candida species are part of the normal human microbiota, they can cause various infections, especially in children with certain risk factors.

Key points:

  • Candida infections can range from superficial to invasive, affecting various body sites.
  • The most common species causing infections is Candida albicans, but other species are increasingly recognized.
  • Pediatric candidiasis can present unique challenges in diagnosis and management compared to adult cases.
  • Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for preventing complications, especially in invasive infections.


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Candida Infections in Children: Objective Q&A
  1. QUESTION: What is the most common species of Candida causing infections in children? ANSWER: Candida albicans
  2. QUESTION: Which group of children is at highest risk for invasive candidiasis? ANSWER: Premature infants and immunocompromised children
  3. QUESTION: What is the most common clinical presentation of oral candidiasis in infants? ANSWER: Thrush (white patches on oral mucosa)
  4. QUESTION: Which antifungal agent is commonly used as first-line treatment for oral thrush in infants? ANSWER: Nystatin oral suspension
  5. QUESTION: What is the most common cause of diaper dermatitis in infants? ANSWER: Candida albicans
  6. QUESTION: Which systemic antifungal is preferred for treating invasive candidiasis in children? ANSWER: Fluconazole or an echinocandin (e.g., caspofungin)
  7. QUESTION: What is the recommended duration of therapy for candidemia without metastatic complications? ANSWER: 14 days after the first negative blood culture
  8. QUESTION: Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing invasive candidiasis? ANSWER: Blood culture
  9. QUESTION: What is the most common site of Candida colonization in hospitalized children? ANSWER: Gastrointestinal tract
  10. QUESTION: Which factor increases the risk of Candida infections in hospitalized children? ANSWER: Prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
  11. QUESTION: What is the recommended first-line treatment for Candida esophagitis in children? ANSWER: Oral fluconazole
  12. QUESTION: Which Candida species is most commonly associated with antifungal resistance? ANSWER: Candida auris
  13. QUESTION: What is the role of central venous catheter removal in the management of candidemia? ANSWER: Prompt removal is recommended to improve outcomes and reduce the duration of candidemia
  14. QUESTION: Which organ is most commonly affected in disseminated candidiasis in neonates? ANSWER: Central nervous system (CNS)
  15. QUESTION: What is the recommended approach for preventing Candida infections in very low birth weight infants? ANSWER: Fluconazole prophylaxis in high-risk settings
  16. QUESTION: How does Candida parapsilosis differ from other Candida species in its clinical significance? ANSWER: It has a higher association with catheter-related infections and forms biofilms more readily
  17. QUESTION: What is the most common cause of Candida bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology patients? ANSWER: Candida albicans, followed by Candida parapsilosis
  18. QUESTION: Which antifungal class is contraindicated in neonates due to toxicity concerns? ANSWER: Polyenes (e.g., amphotericin B deoxycholate)
  19. QUESTION: What is the significance of measuring serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan levels in children with suspected invasive candidiasis? ANSWER: It can provide early evidence of invasive fungal infection, including candidiasis
  20. QUESTION: How does chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis differ from other forms of Candida infections? ANSWER: It is associated with specific immunodeficiencies and presents with persistent mucocutaneous Candida infections
  21. QUESTION: What is the recommended approach for managing Candida urinary tract infections in children? ANSWER: Systemic antifungal therapy for symptomatic infections or in high-risk patients; consider removal of urinary catheters if present
  22. QUESTION: Which complication of candidemia requires prolonged antifungal therapy and possible surgical intervention? ANSWER: Candida endocarditis
  23. QUESTION: What is the role of combination antifungal therapy in pediatric invasive candidiasis? ANSWER: Limited role, mainly considered in severe, refractory cases or in specific situations like Candida endocarditis
  24. QUESTION: How does the management of Candida infections differ in children with chronic granulomatous disease? ANSWER: Requires more aggressive and prolonged antifungal therapy due to impaired neutrophil function
  25. QUESTION: What is the significance of Candida colonization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)? ANSWER: It increases the risk of subsequent invasive candidiasis, especially in very low birth weight infants
  26. QUESTION: Which antifungal agent is preferred for treating fluconazole-resistant Candida infections in children? ANSWER: An echinocandin (e.g., caspofungin or micafungin)
  27. QUESTION: What is the recommended approach for managing hepatosplenic candidiasis in pediatric cancer patients? ANSWER: Prolonged systemic antifungal therapy, typically for several months, with monitoring of lesion resolution
  28. QUESTION: How does the presence of Candida in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid affect management in non-neutropenic children? ANSWER: It often represents colonization rather than infection; treatment decisions should be based on clinical presentation and risk factors
  29. QUESTION: What is the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in managing invasive Candida infections in children? ANSWER: It can be useful for optimizing dosing of certain antifungals, particularly voriconazole and posaconazole
  30. QUESTION: How does the choice of empiric antifungal therapy differ between neonates and older children with suspected invasive candidiasis? ANSWER: Fluconazole is often preferred in neonates, while echinocandins are typically used in older children


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