Pediatric Mucormycosis 

In this article, pediatric mucormycosis will be reviewed, such as infection involving immunosuppressed children; this disease has also been observed in neonates (especially premature infants), patients with burns, and children with a history of incidental trauma.

Mucormycosis usually refers to fungal infections in immunosuppressed hosts caused by ubiquitous molds found in organic matter and soil. Such molds belong to the order Mucorales.^{[1, 2, 3]} The infections they cause manifest in the rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous (see the image below), gastrointestinal (GI), disseminated, and central nervous systems.

Mucormycosis is often life threatening. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and institution of antifungal therapy are vital, as is appropriate management of the underlying disease process.

See also Pediatric Mucormycosis and Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis.

The fungus of mucormycosis gains entry into the body through the nasopharynx. It can be inhaled into the lungs, or it can extend to the sinuses, orbit, and brain. The occurrence of mucormycosis depends on host immunity, but the mechanisms of increased susceptibility in certain hosts remain perplexing. Regardless of the anatomic site involved, characteristic histopathologic findings include angioinvasion with subsequent tissue infarction and necrosis leading to tissue destruction.^[4]

The fungal pathogens that cause mucormycosis belong to the class Zygomycetes and the order Mucorales. Rhizopus species are the agents most commonly isolated in mucormycosis, followed by Rhizomucor species, Absidia corymbifera, Apophysomyces elegans, Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Mucor species, and Saksenaea vasiformis.^{[1, 2, 3]}

Immunodeficiency

Risk factors for mucormycosis in adults and children include diabetes mellitus (especially with ketoacidosis), which is the underlying condition most commonly associated with this disease. This feature is probably due to diminished function of phagocytes at low pH.

Other individuals at risk include patients with malignancy, those with protein-calorie malnutrition, those with skin breakdown due to burns, those with trauma or who are undergoing surgery, those with acute and chronic renal disease, and those with hematologic disease who are receiving deferoxamine.

Patients with immunosuppression due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), organ transplantation, neutropenia, or steroid therapy are also at risk.

Nosocomial infection

Hospital-acquired mucormycosis has been reported. In a review of 26 hospitalized, posttraumatic patients with mucormycosis, approximately 57% were females and two thirds had comorbidities (ie, diabetes mellitus, leukemia, immunosuppression); diabetes was noted in 6 patients.^[5] In hospitalized patients with cannula, wound or occlusive dressings should be closely watched for erythema or necrosis.

Neonatal infection and prematurity

Neonates, especially those born prematurely, can be at risk. Unusual incidents of neonatal mucormycosis might have occurred when patients were exposed to contaminated surfaces, such as bandages, tongue depressors used as arm splints, or cardiac-monitor leads.^[6]

In the United States, mucormycosis is most common in immunocompromised hosts, although cases in immunocompetent patients are also reported. Underlying diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and malignancy, are risk factors. Environmental spore exposure (from exposure to construction activity) has also led to clinical cases of mucormycosis. Other cases have been reported in patients with traumatic skin injury (eg, associated with the use of nonsterile adhesive tape or with use of tongue depressors as splints in neonates). Exposure to voriconazole, which is not active against mucormycosis, is noted to be a risk factor in patients with cancer.

No racial or sexual predilection is reported.However, most cases of mucormycosis occur in immunosuppressed adults. In a pooled review, Kline described 41 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis occurring in children and adolescents aged 2 months to 18 years.^[7] About 49% of cases were found in patients with diabetes mellitus, and 15% of cases were found in those with leukemia. Four of the 41 children (10%) had no predisposing conditions.

Survival rates largely depend on early diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis as well as resolution of the patient's underlying condition. If the disease progresses and if the underlying condition remains uncontrolled, death usually ensues. The overall mortality rate in adults is 50%, though survival rates higher than this have been reported.

In neonates, these invasive fungal infections can be rapidly fatal; the time from clinical symptoms to death is in the range of 6 to 42 days.

Because the disease is rare and because therapy is not standardized, no studies aid in predicting patient outcomes.