Characteristics of neonates with antifungal therapy in Ngoerah Hospital Denpasar, Bali

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) have become a notable cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates hospitalized in neonatal wards. Because of the substantial morbidity associated with invasive candidiasis, empirical antifungal medication, and even preventative measures are being considered for high-risk neonates. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study to describe the characteristics of neonates with antifungal therapy in Ngoerah Hospital Denpasar, Bali. After estimating the sample size, the total minimum samples were 94 subjects. Afterward, it was decided this study would be conducted using data collected from the neonatal admission and registry from January 2019 until December 2021 with a total of 100 neonates. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 (IBM) for statistical analysis to describe subject characteristics and variables in this study. Results: A total of 100 subjects were included in this study; fifty-three (53%) subjects are female, and 47% are male, showing a similar distribution of gender among subjects. Most subjects with antifungal therapy are infants born through cesarean delivery (63%), birth weight <1500 grams (55%), and in the gestational age ≥28-32 weeks group (35%). Means of length of stay of subjects in this study was 37.9 days (± 25.276 SD). The vast majority of subjects in this study present with Early-onset neonatal sepsis (97%). Use of mechanical ventilation for ≥7 days in subjects reached 40%. It was found that the use of antibiotics ≥7 days was higher (85%) than the group with antibiotic use <7 days (15%). The use of central line catheters was widespread in patients with antifungal therapy (72%). This study shows 40% mortality in infants with antifungal therapy Conclusion: Given the difficulties of diagnosing neonatal candidiasis, its rising incidence, and the delay in fungal cultures, a risk-factor-based approach to prophylactic and practical treatment could be justified in a newborn who appears sick.