Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis in Ventilated Neonates

Primary cutaneous opportunistic mold infections in a pediatric population

“…26 The common use of systemic steroids in this population contributes, 19,26 as does the fragility of newborn skin along with the minor trauma associated with intensive care. 25,26 In our series, all cases occurred in patients with one or a combination of these recognized risk factors. In the neonatal population, prematurity was the overwhelming risk factor, whereas in children, most cases occurred for patients who were immunocompromised.…”

“…7 Cutaneous trauma may result from overt injury or from minor insults to the skin barrier. 24 In neonates, prematurity is the major risk factor, 25,26 probably because of the immaturity of their host defenses, with impaired phagocytosis. 26 The common use of systemic steroids in this population contributes, 19,26 as does the fragility of newborn skin along with the minor trauma associated with intensive care.…”

Neonatal cutaneous fungal infections

“…Aspergillus species are not uncommon causes of fungal disease in immunocompromised children and adults, and infection may be seen in very low birthweight neonates and neonates who are immunosuppressed [26][27][28][29]. Aspergillus is a saprophytic fungus that can cause both primary cutaneous and systemic infection.…”

New clinical presentations of invasive aspergillosis in non-conventional hosts

“…A number of reports have emerged, predominantly in the last 10 years, of cutaneous aspergillus infection in neonates [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61]. At least 80% of these infections have been in premature infants, with gestational ages from 24 to 32 weeks at the time of birth, and birthweights of 440-1500 g. The infection occurs in the first month of life.…”