Dutch Pediatric Mycology Network
In March 2009 the Dutch Pediatric Mycology Network was launched.
The reason to initiate this network is to increase our knowledge in the field of pediatric mycology. The incidence of invasive yeast and mould infections are increasing worldwide due to a higher number of susceptible children and neonates.
However, the paucity of data with regard to the epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy of invasive fungal infections in children is a matter of concern. Clinical trials in the field of invasive fungal infections in general do exclude children and neonates on forehand, making it cumbersome to outline an optimal management strategy in those vulnerable patients.
Objectives
- The objectives of the Pediatric Mycology Network are threefold:
- to investigate the clinical epidemiology of invasive fungal infections in neonates and children,
- to create a forum for educating and training colleagues in the field of pediatric mycology and
- to discover new diagnostic and treatment modalities.
All the pediatric departments of the university hospitals in the Netherlands do participate and are represented by the local pediatric infectious diseases specialists as site-investigators.
In addition, a representative of the supportive care working party of the SKION (Dutch Childhood Oncology Group) does participate in this network. Furthermore, close collaboration with pediatric oncologists and neonatologist exists to build a strong network dedicated to improve the management and outcome of invasive fungal infections in children and neonates.