Abstract
In order to determine the prevalence of culture-proven candida infection in children with genital symptoms, a retrospective case-note review was performed to identify all symptomatic children with a culture result positive for Candida spp. during a 15-month period. Between May 2000 and July 2001, a total of 570 specimens were received from 473 children, and 34 positive culture results were recorded for specimens taken from 32 patients. Of these patients, 19 were in the 0–3-year age group, six in the 3–9-year age group and seven in the 9–12-year age group. Underlying risk factors for infection included prematurity, immunosuppression and prior antibiotic therapy. Three children were suspected to have experienced sexual abuse. Candida infection is uncommon in toilet-trained prepubertal girls, and empirical antifungal therapy is not indicated in this age group unless there are well-recognised predisposing factors. If a Candida sp. is isolated from a genital tract specimen taken from a 3–9-year-old girl, then a specific cause needs to be sought.
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Banerjee, K., Curtis, E., de San Lazaro, C. et al. Low prevalence of genital candidiasis in children. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 23, 696–698 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-004-1189-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-004-1189-2