Prophylactic Oral Nystatin and Fungal Infections in Very-Low-Birthweight Infants

Abstract

Prevention of systemic fungal infection in the very-low-birthweight infant is important since it is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. To determine if oral nystatin administration could prevent fungal colonization and infection, we evaluated 67 preterm infants with birthweights Candida species and Torulopsis glabrata. Colonized infants were dependent on the respirator (P < 0.001), had indwelling catheters (P < 0.01), and received antibiotics (P < 0.05) for a longer period than infants free from fungi and their mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.05). We conclude that prophylactic administration of oral nystatin reduces fungal colonization and infection in very-low-birthweight infants.