SHEA Releases Pediatric Recommendations for Preventing and Controlling Candida auris

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has released a new consensus statement providing pediatric-specific recommendations for the infection prevention and control of Candida auris (also referred to as Candidozyma auris), a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen associated with healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks worldwide.

Existing recommendations for detecting and preventing C. auris have primarily focused on adult populations in acute and long-term care healthcare facilities. SHEA’s new consensus statement addresses high-priority gaps for pediatric and child-serving settings, including neonatal intensive care units, pediatric hospitals and units, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities for children, schools, childcare settings, and family residential facilities.

The recommendations emphasize practical strategies for healthcare personnel, caregivers, families, infection prevention teams, and public health partners. They address pediatric realities that differ from adult care, including caregiver rooming-in, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin practices, shared play and therapy spaces, specialized pediatric equipment, toys, breast pumps, and communication needs across healthcare and non-healthcare settings.

“Children receive care in environments that look very different from adult healthcare settings, and infection prevention guidance must account for the essential role of caregivers and families,” said Lisa Maragakis, MD, MPH, President of SHEA. “These recommendations are designed to help teams reduce transmission risk while supporting family-centered pediatric care.”

Key recommendations include providing plain-language education for caregivers and visitors, coordinating with local infection prevention and public health partners, using targeted screening based on defined exposures, maintaining rigorous environmental cleaning and disinfection with products effective against C. auris, and supporting thoughtful disclosure practices to avoid stigma or unnecessary exclusion of children in non-healthcare congregate settings.

The consensus statement also recognizes the importance of family-centered care. It supports caregiver presence, including rooming-in, and encourages breastfeeding and skin-to-skin practices where appropriate, using shared decision-making when evidence is limited or patient-specific risks require individualized planning.

“Because C. auris remains relatively rare in pediatrics, clear communication and coordinated implementation are essential,” said first author, Thomas Murray, MD, PhD. “The guidance gives clinicians and child-serving facilities a framework for practical, setting-specific decisions.”

The consensus statement was developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel with subject-matter experts in pediatric infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, neonatology, early childhood care and education, long-term care, and family partnership. It was endorsed by SHEA, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Pediatric Complex Care Association (PCCA), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), and Ronald McDonald House Global.

About SHEA
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is a professional society representing physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world with expertise in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship. SHEA works to improve public health by advancing the science and practice of healthcare epidemiology and preventing healthcare-associated infections.

Media Contact:
Lindsay MacMurray
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