THRUSH   

Definition

• A superficial  yeast infection of the mouth of young babies
• Causes white patches in the front of the mouth

Symptoms

• White, irregularly shaped patches in the mouth
• Coats the inside cheeks or inner lips
• Sometimes also coats the tongue
• Adherent to the mouth (cannot be washed away or wiped off easily like milk curds)
• Occasionally causes a painful mouth, reluctance to suck and reduced milk intake
• Mild discomfort or no symptoms in most newborns
• The infant is bottle-fed or breast-fed

Cause

• Caused by a yeast (called Candida)
• Occurs on parts of the mouth involved with sucking
• Accentuated by friction from frequent pacifier use

White Tongue Alone: Not Thrush

• If a white tongue is the only finding it’s not due to thrush.
• A milk diet commonly causes a white coated tongue.
• This is normal and will go away after solid foods are introduced.
• Call your child’s doctor during office hours if white patches occur inside the lips or cheeks.

Return to Child Care

• Thrush is not contagious, since it does not invade normal tissue. Your child can go to child care with thrush.

 

~HealtyChildren.org/AAP