Clinical Epidemiological Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment Established in Invasive Fungal Infection in Pediatric Patients: Case Series

Abstract Background Invasive fungal infection (IFI) represents a public health problem in immunocompromised and critically ill patients, with considerable mortality. Objective is to describe the clinical, epidemiological, diagnostic and treatment characteristics in patients with confirmed invasive fungal infection. Methods A case series study was carried out, by reviewing the records of previously healthy pediatric patients, with confirmed invasive fungal infection, from January to December 2022. Information was obtained on sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory variables, cultures, mucormycosis, treatment (antibiotic and antifungal) and complications during the hospital stay. In the statistical analysis, percentages, measures of central tendency and dispersion were obtained according to the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Results Nine patients with invasive fungal infection were analyzed, 55.6% children, mean age 8.6 ± 4.8 years, 91.6% with acute lymphoblastic leukemia type B (50%), 25% with infiltration to the central nervous system, in chemotherapy phase from induction to remission. (88.9%), with jugular central venous catheter (44.4%), mean 29.9 ± 21.6 days-catheter, 88.9% with fever, severe neutropenia and neutropenic colitis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome 55.6%. In blood cultures C. papapsilosis (11.1%) was reported and in mycological culture Aspergillus fumigatus (33.3%), Mucor spp (22.2%) and Fusarium oxysporum (11.1%), 22.2% with fungomas, using amphotericin B (100%), caspofungin (44.4%) and voriconazole (33.3%), with 44.5% mortality. Conclusion In immunocompromised or critically ill patients, it is essential to perform strict follow-up to timely identify opportunistic infections and reduce complications.