[Is Candida septicemia in premature infants a nosocomial infection?].

Yeast colonization of the vagina is found in about 30% of all pregnant women. Premature infants are severely endangered by generalized fungal infections due to their immature immune system. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between vaginal yeast colonization of the mothers and Candida septicemia in their premature babies. In a prospective study, running from 12/1994 to 8/1996, 176 mothers, facing probable premature birth, were investigated, when hospitalized, for vaginal yeast colonization. 150 premature infants (birth weights ranging from 550 to 2390 g) of these mothers were culturally examined for yeasts in specimens from the mouth, ear, stool and urine immediately after birth as well as once weekly in the following weeks. The patients were divided into two groups. In group A, oral prophylaxis with nystatin was practiced only in infants with at least one positive yeast culture. In group B, all patients received nystatin prophylaxis. Candida septicemia developed one or two weeks after birth mainly in infants with birth weights below 1000 g. Primary oral prophylaxis with nystatin lowers considerably the risk of developing Candida infection.