Infant Thrush: Candida Albicans

Thrush (also called candidiasis) is a type of yeast infection to which infants, especially in their first two months after birth, are particularly susceptible. Although healthy adults can develop thrush, this condition typically affects those with weaker immune systems, such as newborns, the elderly and those with autoimmune diseases.
 
While the yeast that causes thrush is present in everyone (on the skin, in the mouth and in the gastrointestinal tract), it's usually kept in balance by the presence of other bacteria and microorganisms.

Causes of Baby Thrush

Thrush in infants results from an infection by the Candida albicans fungus, the same fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections. Although certain levels of this fungus are necessary to maintain proper health, when an imbalance occurs, the fungus grows out of control.
 
Most infants acquire the fungus from their mothers during the passage through the birth canal. This explains why most infants with thrush display symptoms of it within the first two months of their lives.

Symptoms of Thrush in Infants

A baby with oral thrush develops creamy white lesions in his mouth. While the lesions can appear anywhere in the mouth, they most commonly occur on the sides. These lesions are often painful and may bleed if rubbed or scraped. Because of the pain, babies with oral thrush are fussy when feeding and may pull away from the breast frequently.
 

Oral Thrush or Milk Residue?
Oral thrush may be mistaken for milk residue. One way to check is to look inside the lower inner lip, since milk residue isn't normally found there. Unlike thrush, milk residue can be easily wiped away.

If you're unsure whether the patch of white on your baby's tongue is milk residue or thrush, take a gauze-covered finger and gently brush at it. If it wipes away easily, it's milk residue. If it doesn't wipe away, or if it wipes away to reveal an inflamed, bleeding area, it's thrush.

Diaper Rash and Thrush

Bacteria and fungus thrive in warm, moist areas, such as the area covered by the baby's diaper. Like diaper rash, Candida albicans is often the result of a fungal or bacterial infection, typically infecting the skin around the groin.

If you notice rashes or lesions in your baby's groin area, see your pediatrician immediately for a proper diagnosis. Because treatment for thrush is different for that of diaper rash, be sure that you are following the right treatment course to get your baby back to her optimum health.

Breastfeeding Mothers Beware
Thrush can and will pass between mother and child, especially during breastfeeding. If you contract thrush from your newborn, the fungus can cause the breasts and nipples to become inflamed and tender, discouraging the mother from nursing. If you or your baby have thrush, make sure that each of you receives treatment, or the fungus will continue to pass back and forth between you and your child.

Treating Infant Thrush

Treatments for thrush revolve around the application of antifungal medication. However, the way you take (or administer) the medication depends on where the infection occurs. For example, while oral thrush is treated with a nystatin rinse (a type of antifungal mouth wash), thrush infections in the groin area typically call of antifungal creams and rubs.

Along with taking the proper medication, treating thrush also requires that the mother properly and regularly disinfects all items that comes into contact the baby's mouth (or with her breasts if she is infected) to prevent re-infection.

If for some reason the thrush persists and treatment doesn't relieve symptoms, thrush may be a result of an underlying disorder. In this case, a doctor will have to treat the underlying disorder in order to treat the thrush.

Resources

Andersson, I. (2004). Ask the midwife: Infant thrush. Willy Street Co-op Reader.

BabyCenter LLC. (updated 2005). Thrush (0-12 months).

Greene, A. (1996). Thrush.

Hawthorne, A. (updated 2005). Natural remedies for thrush.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (updated 2004). Diaper rash.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (updated 2003). Oral thrush.

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (updated 2002). Oral thrush. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (updated 2003). Thrush. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.