Prophylactic fluconazole is effective in preventing fungal colonisation and infection in preterm neonates: a multicentre, randomised trial in Italy

ISRCTN ISRCTN85753869
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN85753869
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
19/09/2006
Registration date
25/09/2006
Last edited
19/09/2007
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Neonatal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Paolo Manzoni
Scientific

Neonatology and Hospital NICU
C. Spezia 60
Torino
10126
Italy

Phone +39 (0) 113 134 304
Email manzonipaolo@hotmail.it

Study information

Study designMulticentre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Scientific title
Study hypothesisTo evaluate the efficacy of fluconazole prophylaxis in prevention of fungal colonisation and infection (colonisation by Candida spp., or invasive infection caused by Candida spp.) in preterm very low birth weight (i.e., less than 1500 g at birth) infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
Ethics approval(s)Ethics Board of the Fondazione Crescere Insieme al Sant'Anna-ONLUS approved of the study on the 15/04/2004. The Fondazione is a Charity and Scientific Foundation of the Sant' Anna Hospital Institution.

Each participating Institution reviewed the protocol and was notified of the Fondazione's approval:
1. Policlinico Umberto I^ of Rome
2. Carlo Poma Hospital of Mantua
3. Mangiagalli Hospital of Milan
4. S. Matteo Hospital of Pavia
5. Arcispedale of Reggio Emilia
6. Fatebenefratelli Hospital of Benevento
7. Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina
8. Department of Pediatrics, University of Bologna
ConditionNeonatal fungal infection
InterventionThe regimens in the two intervention groups was 6 and 3 mg/kg of fluconazole (DIFLUCAN®; Pfizer Italia S.p.A.; Latina/Roma; Italy) every third day for the first two weeks, then every other day.

Six weeks (in infants with birth weight less than 1000 g, i.e. Extremely Low Birth Weight [ELBW]) and four weeks (in the infants with birth weight 1001 to 1500 g) were chosen as the duration of therapy on the basis of the currently published data, unless earlier discharge or need for systemic antifungal therapy due to the onset of proven or presumed invasive fungal infection.

Prophylaxis started from day of life three via a single dose intravenously or orally (via orogastric tube), depending on the availability of a venous line and/or the tolerance of oral feeding. Infants in the control group received placebo (1 ml saline) in the same way.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Specified
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Fluconazole prophylaxis
Primary outcome measureThe primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 and 6 mg/kg fluconazole compared with placebo in the prevention of Candida colonisation and infection in the preterm very low birth weight neonates admitted to the participant NICUs.
Secondary outcome measures1. Assessment of the incidence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative sepsis
2. Mortality (overall and Candida-attributable)
3. Rate of progression from colonisation to infection
4. Necrotising enterocolitis
5. Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus
6. Threshold retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgery
7. Severe (grade 3-4) intraventricular haemorrhage
8. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
9. Alteration of liver function as measured by serum AST, ALT, direct bilirubin and gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (gGT) values at baseline and at the end of all administrations
Overall study start date01/05/2004
Overall study end date31/07/2005

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupNeonate
SexBoth
Target number of participants267
Participant inclusion criteriaAll neonates with birth weight less than 1500 g (i.e. Very Low Birth Weight [VLBW]) born within the study period, whether at one of the eight Institutions or elsewhere, were eligible for the study.
Participant exclusion criteria1. Parental refusal
2. Admission after 72 hours of life
3. Death prior to 72 hours of life
4. Liver failure (defined as three-fold elevation of Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST] and/or Alanine Aminotransferase [ALT] above the reference values)
Recruitment start date01/05/2004
Recruitment end date31/07/2005

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Italy

Study participating centre

Neonatology and Hospital NICU
Torino
10126
Italy

Sponsor information

Saint Anna Foundation (Fondazione Crescere Insieme al Santa Anna [ONLUS]) (Italy)
Charity

Corso Spezia 60
Torino
10126
Italy

Phone +39 (0)113 134 300
Email ggomirato@hotmail.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00k065b17

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Pfizer Italia S.p.A. (Italy) - supplied study drugs, provided financial support with a grant, but was not involved in the concept, design, enrolment, data collection, analysis and interpretation of its results.

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other publications 01/01/2006 Yes No
Results article 14/06/2007 Yes No