Old and new: appropriate dosing for neonatal antifungal drugs in the nursery

Abstract

Candida infections are a source of significant mortality and morbidity in the neonatal intensive care unit. Treatment strategies continue to change as additional antifungals become available and studies in neonates are performed. Amphotericin B deoxycholate has been favored for many years, but fluconazole has the most data supporting its use in neonatal Candida infections and is often employed for prophylaxis as well as treatment. Voriconazole and posaconazole have limited utility in the nursery and are rarely used. The echinocandins are increasingly administered for invasive Candida infections, although higher doses are required in neonates than in older children and adults.