[Sepsis by Candida in VLBW neonates: therapy with liposomal Amphotericin B]

Candida spp. are recently frequent cause of nosocomial sepsis in neonates admitted in NICU, expecially VLBW. Amphotericin B is used in the treament of infections caused by Candida, but heavy side effects, expecially due to renal toxiticy, prevent often its use in the VLBW neonates. We used a new formulation of Amphotericin (AmBisome--NEXSTAR), in the treatment of 17 VLBW neonates affected by sepsis caused by Candida albicans, admitted in our NICU during two years. Twelve neonates survived, one neonate died for NEC and bowel perforation. The treatment was prolonged for 13 days (7-33 days), the total amount of dose was 65 mg/Kg, none side effect was noted.