Manage fungal infections in neonates with antifungal agents, with prophylactic treatment recommended for those at high risk

Fungal pathogens can cause serious disease in neonates, with Candida species being the most common cause of fungal infections. As with adults, the choice of antifungal agents used for treatment should depend on the susceptibility of the pathogen. Although, in neonates at high risk of invasive fungal infections, empiric antifungal treatment at initial signs of infection and antifungal prophylaxis should be considered. Careful dose adjustments may be required to achieve effective and safe drug concentrations for antifungal agents in neonates, due to differences in drug clearance and distribution when compared with adults.