Neonatal Systemic Candidiasis Diagnosed by Ultrasound

Abstract

The diagnosis of systemic candidiasis in ill high-risk neonates is often delayed as there are no specific clinical features and the significance of positive cultures for Candida species may be uncertain. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to reduce mortality and may be aided by ultrasound examination of the commonly involved organs - the brain and kidneys. In this paper we describe 2 cases where the diagnosis was first raised following ultrasound examination, and review the spectrum of abnormalities seen on renal and cranial ultrasound examination. We emphasise the importance of using this imaging technique in the high-risk neonate in initiating earlier diagnosis and treatment, or in establishing the significance or otherwise of positive cultures.