J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1994 Feb;37(2):269-275.

Candida Esophagitis in Infancy: A Report of 3 Cases

• Kim HS
• Kim YW
• Sim JG
• Park BS
• Lee HJ
• Kim JG
• Seo JK
• Chi JG

Abstract

We experienced 3 cases of Candida esophagitis in infancy which were diagnosed by esophageal endoscopy. First case, 10 month-old boy with combined immune deficiency had suffered from oral thrush and poor feeding for more than 4 months. Esophageal endoscopy revealed multiple whitish creamy patches on the friable erythematous and necrotic mucosa of the esophagus. He was firstly treated with amphotericin-B but in vain. Then he was treated with fluconazole (5 mg/kg/day) and in a few days oral thrush nearly disappeared and endoscopy after 2 weeks revealed complete healing of the esophagitis. Second case, 6 month-old boy with some cellular immue defect also suffered from oral thrush, poor feeding and intermittent fever. He was treated with fluconazole and oral thrush was imporved. He was discharged without follow up endoscopy. Third case, 4 month-old girl with liver cirrhosis due to infantile cholestasis had Candida sepsis. Esophagitis was found incidentally during the endoscopic examination of esophageal varix. First 2 cases showed multiple small filling defects and decreased motility on esophagography. Candida antigen was not detected in the sera of all 3 cases of candidiasis. We conclude that Candidia esophagitis should be suspected when an infant has been suffering from long-term treatmet-resistant oral thrush and poor feeding and that esophageal endoscopy can be easily performed in infants also and useful in diagnosing esophagitis and assessing the outcome of treatment.

MeSH Terms

Candida*
Candidiasis
Candidiasis, Oral
Cholestasis
Endoscopy
Esophageal and Gastric Varices
Esophagitis*
Esophagus
Female
Fever
Fluconazole
Humans
Infant
Liver Cirrhosis
Male
Mucous Membrane
Sepsis
Fluconazole