Pediatric pharmacology of antifungal agents

Abstract

Pediatric age groups display important differences in host biology, predisposing conditions, epidemiology, and presentation of fungal infections relative to the adult population. Over the past decade, major advances have been made in the field of medical mycology. Most importantly, an array of new antifungal agents has entered the clinical arena. Although pediatric approval of several of these agents remains to be established, the pediatric development of antifungal agents is moving forward. Invasive fungal infections will remain important causes for morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised pediatric patients. Although the availability of new therapeutic options is an important advance, antifungal therapy has become increasingly complex, and a thorough understanding of the available antifungal armamentarium is essential for the successful management of individual patients.