Fungal Infections in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

As the data on the epidemiology and outcome of fungal infections in children with hematologic cancer are limited especially in Iran, this study was aimed to delineate the epidemiologic features and outcome of fungal infections in this population. The medical records of all children with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with a fungal infection from 2005 to 2010 at a tertiary pediatric hospital (Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital, Tehran, Iran) were reviewed. The results indicated that out of 617 children hospitalized in the hematology/oncology department during the study period, 115 (18.6%) were diagnosed with a fungal infection. Between 87 patients with fungal infection whose records were complete, Candida species caused the majority (73.6%) of fungal infections. Aspergillus species were found in 14.9% and Mucor species in 11.5% of patients. The mortality rate significantly correlated with the organism causing the infection (P< 0.0001) and was especially high in patients with Aspergillus infections (61.5%). Improved prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment strategies are needed to improve the outcome.