Invasive candidiasis and oral manifestations in premature newborns

Objective: To investigate prevalence of invasive candidiasis in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to evaluate oral diseases and Candida spp. colonization in low birth weight preterm newborns. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study performed in two stages. First, prevalence of candidiasis was analyzed in a database of 295 preterm patients admitted to hospital for over 10 days and birth weight less than 2,000g. In the second stage, oral changes and Candida spp. colonization were assessed in 65 patients weighing less than 2,000g, up to 4 week-old, hospitalized for over 10 days and presenting oral abnormalities compatible with fungal lesions. Swab samples were collected in the mouth to identify fungi. Results: Prevalence of candidiasis was 5.4% in the database analyzed. It correlated with prolonged hospital length of stay (p<0.001), in average, 31 days, and 85% risk of developing infection in the first 25 days. It correlated with low birth weight (p<0.001), with mean of 1,140g. The most frequent alterations were white soft plaques, detachable, in oral mucosa and tongue. Intense oral colonization by Candida spp was observed (80%). Conclusions: The frequency of invasive candidiasis was low and correlated with low birth weight and prolonged hospital stay. The most common oral changes were white plaques compatible with pseudomembranous candidiasis and colonization by Candida spp. was above average.

Estado nutricional e ganho de peso de gestantes

Caracterizou-se estado nutricional de 228 gestantes e sua influência no peso ao nascer. Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo desenvolvido num centro de saúde do município de São Paulo, com dados obtidos de prontuários. Realizou-se análise de regressão linear. Verificou-se associação entre estado nutricional inicial e final (p<0,001). A média de ganho total de peso diminuiu das gestantes que iniciaram a gravidez com baixo peso para aquelas que iniciaram com sobrepeso/obesidade (p=0,005), sendo insuficiente para 43,4 e 36,4% das gestantes com peso inicial adequado e para o total das gestantes estudadas, respectivamente. Entretanto, 37,1% daquelas que iniciaram a gravidez com sobrepeso/obesidade finalizaram com ganho excessivo, condição que, no final, afetou quase um quarto das gestantes. Anemia e baixo peso ao nascer foram pouco frequentes, porém, na análise de regressão linear, peso ao nascer associou-se com ganho de peso (p<0,05). Evidencia-se a importância do cuidado nutricional antes e durante a gravidez, para promoção da saúde materno-infantil.