Number of sites of perinatal Candida colonization and neutropenia are associated with nosocomial candidemia in the neonatal intensive care unit patient

Abstract

Maternal vaginal candidiasis and vaginal birth are risk factors for neonatal colonization. When controlling for illness severity, the number of sites colonized with Candida at birth contributes to neonatal nosocomial candidemia. Early neutropenia increases the risk further. These findings offer opportunities for prevention of Candida infection in neonatal intensive care unit patients.