INTRODUCTION

While bacterial sepsis is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality globally and nationally, fungal sepsis has alarmingly come up in the last two decades [1]. Increase in preterm deliveries with more number of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates is the commonest associated risk factor for increase in fungal sepsis. The overall mortality due to fungal sepsis is around 50% in VLBW and higher in ELBW neonates [2]. Although, the most common species isolated is Candida albicans, there has been a surge in non-albicans Candida species outbreaks which was isolated in 30-90% cases in India [3]. The studied clinical spectrum of fungal sepsis includes incidence of respiratory distress, shock, necrotising enterocolitis, hyperglycaemia, meningitis, solid organ abscess, endocarditis, endophthalmitis among others [3-6]. The associated cardiac findings include an intracardiac mass and endocarditis [7]. However, the functional echocardiographic parameters in fungal sepsis remain unexplored. Through this reterospective observational study, we will be discussing clinical, laboratory, ultrasonography and echocardiographic profile of last three years.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

AIM

To retrospectively investigate the clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic characteristics of newborns admitted to Bharati NICU with fungal sepsis between 2022 and 2025.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

A study to evaluate the clinical, demographic, and laboratory profiles of newborns admitted to the Bharati NICU from 2022 to 2025, with an emphasis on haemodynamic parameters, antibiotic sensitivity, and clinical outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study design: Retrospective observational study

Duration of study: The enrolment period will be between year 2022 to 2025

Sample size:  all neonates from 0 to 28 days of life admitted in Bharati hospital NICU between year 2022 to 2025, with fungal culture (blood, CSF, urine) positive will be included in sample size

Setting: Tertiary care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Neonatology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University) Medical College Hospital Research Centre, Pune.

Inclusion criteria: all neonates from 0 to 28 days of life admitted to Bharati Hospital NICU between year 2022 to 2025 with fungal culture positive will be included in the study.

Method:

After ethical committee approval. This retrospective study will be conducted between year 2022 to 2025 in a tertiary care NICU of Bharati Vidyapeeth medical college and research centre, Pune. Data of all new borns less than 28 days of life admitted in NICU in defined time period in whom fungal organism was isolated in any of the culture (blood, CSF, urine) collected from records.  Data about following parameters demographics, risk factors, clinical parameters, laboratory parameters, culture reports (blood, CSF, urine) along with sensitivity pattern 2D ECHO, renal, abdominal and cranial ultrasonography, fundus examination will also be retrieved. All the data will be analysed statistically. Personal information of the patient will be kept anonymous.