SEVERE THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN EXTREMELY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS WITH SYSTEMIC CANDIDIASIS

The clinical, haematological and microbiological features of 12 extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants with Candida infection were compared with 36 gestational-age and birthweight matched controls who experienced 42 episodes of bacterial septicaemia. Thrombocytopenia was the feature observed most commonly, occurring in 12 of 12 study infants and 23 of 42 controls (P = 0.004). Minimum platelet counts were below 50 x 10(9)/ L in 11 of 12 study patients compared with seven of 42 controls (P < 0.0001). Severe thrombocytopenia may be a useful indicator of systemic Candida infection in ELBW infants.