Risk and prognostic factors for invasive fungal diseases in paediatric patients with malignancy

Background Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) remain a challenge in the treatment of patients with haematological malignancies. Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate factors that are thought to favour the onset of IFDs and identify prognostic factors that could predict the eventual outcome of these infections. Patients and methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted for an explicit identification of risk and prognostics factors for IFDs in immunocompromised children. We retrospectively reviewed two age-matched and sexmatched patients with refractory acute myeloid leukaemia who had undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Results Both patients were exposed to the same hospital conditions and had been admitted for the first time at nearly the same period. They had two different paths as regards the development and outcome of IFD. Conclusion Several factors may have an impact on the onset and outcome of IFDs, and identification of these factors is essential to the evaluation and management of IFD and for timely establishment of appropriate antifungal