Pediatric Candidiasis Follow-up

Updated: Jan 10, 2020
  • Author: Sabah Kalyoussef, DO; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD  more...
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Follow-up

Transfer

Transfer of patients with candidiasis is appropriate if the required level of care is not locally available.

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Deterrence/Prevention

The risk of candidal diaper rash may be reduced by preventing irritant diaper dermatitis by using absorbent diapers and preventing excessive exposure to urine or feces.

Encourage parents to appropriately clean their infant's bottles and pacifiers while they are treated for thrush.

Encourage asthma patients to rinse their mouth after using their corticosteroid inhaler.

Keep hands dry; when wet work is unavoidable, use rubber gloves with cotton liners. Response is generally quite good to topical azoles.

Cutaneous candidiasis may be prevented by keeping areas cool and dry and by using breathable fabrics (eg, cotton).

Fluconazole is used extensively in patients with neutropenia, persons undergoing organ transplantation, and in extremely low birth weight infants. [7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19] Although found to be generally safe in these populations and able to reduce candidal colonization, effect on survival has been minimal. New studies show prophylactic doses of fluconazole given in the newborn intensive care setting may prevent candidemia and colonization in high-risk patients. [8, 9, 20]

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Prognosis

Prognosis for oral or cutaneous candidiasis is excellent with appropriate medical treatment.

Systemic candidiasis, especially in low birth weight premature infants, carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Even with appropriate treatment, mortality may reach 50% in this population. [21]

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Patient Education

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