Neonatal thrush of newborns: Oral candidiasis?

Neonatal thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is commonly a clinical diagnosis based on white patches on oral mucosal surfaces. Candida albicans is often associated with it. This clinical study aimed to investigate the presence of C. albicans among newborns with or without clinical findings of candidiasis on oral mucosa. Another aim was to investigate how thrush responded to current therapy by acidic liquids such as lingonberry or lemon juice.

Swipe samples were collected from 32 healthy, full-term infants younger than 12 months with or without white patches on oral mucosa. Clinical diagnosis of thrush was made by a community nurse based on thick and yellowish white patches. The routine therapy was oral lingonberry or lemon juice or soda water. Disappearing of patches was controlled by a phone call about 2 weeks after the baseline. Both parents and nurses gave background factors by filling a questionnaire.

One (3%) infant without clinical signs was diagnosed with Candida parapsilosis, none with C. albicans. Thrush resembling candidiasis was diagnosed clinically in four (12.5%) children. Three out of four parents reported persisting findings after 2 weeks. Only the maternal mastitis and use of antibiotics were significantly associated with thrush (p = .001). C. albicans was not discovered from babies with clinical thrush.

Aetiology of the white patches remained unclear. The current way of treating them with acidic liquids is not efficient. Additional studies are needed.