Pediatric invasive fungal infections: realities, challenges, concerns, myths and hopes.

摘要

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) appear to have increased in recent years and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. The incidence of IFIs has significantly increased in pediat-ric cancer patients, in preterm neonates, patients with primary immune deficiencies and non-neutropenic children requiring intensive care unit stay [1]. Studies describing the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and therapeutic interventions of IFI have been mostly performed in adult populations. There are important differences regarding epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of IFIs between children and adults [2]. This issue of Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy focuses on IFI during childhood and includes reviews discussing the epidemiology and clinical findings of common IFIs in children: the important differences with respect to adults and diagnostic laboratory techniques, and summarizes the recent advances in currently available and future therapeutic options.