Ocular involvement in children with candidemia

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate ocular findings in hospitalized children with systemic Candida species infection.

Design: Retrospective review of inpatient hospital consultations.

Method: Inpatient hospital consultations performed by a pediatric ophthalmology service over a 30-month period were reviewed.

Results: Of 600 consultations performed by the service, 30 were to rule out ocular findings in patients with suspected or known candida infection. No patients had ocular findings consistent with endophthalmitis or chorioretinitis. One patient had nonspecific findings of multisystem organ failure, and one had vascular findings secondary to elevated pulmonary venous pressures.

Conclusions: In contrast to the results of studies performed 10 to 15 years ago, ocular involvement is highly unusual in children with candidemia, but such consultations account for a substantial workload. Further attention to risk factors associated with ocular infection is warranted.