Raena Morgan: Dr. Lepisto, what is thrush? I know that babies get thrush mouth and do they get that from their mothers?
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Oral thrush is an oral Candida infection and that comes mostly because babies may have a developing immune system, they may have been given antibiotics early on to eliminate the good bugs and it usually just takes advantage of an opportunity within the babies mouth. And it doesn’t necessarily come from the mother.
Raena Morgan: Okay.
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: She would actually have to have an active yeast infection on her breast for that to happen.
Raena Morgan: So the baby can’t get it coming through the birth canal if the mother has a yeast infection.
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: She—there could be an inoculation that way, yes, that’s true, during birth. And interestingly, we want a good inoculation of the baby through the birth canal. That helps establish the immune system right from the start. So, if a normal, healthy mother gives birth, the baby gets a nice inoculation and that’s the beginning of their normal microflora in their body.
Raena Morgan: Is thrush dangerous for babies?
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Not, not really in a general setting. Most of the time—in fact even probiotics, the good bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, that’s usually enough to reestablish the healthy balance in the mouth of these babies. They don’t even need an antifungal agent, usually.
Raena Morgan: Well, that’s good to hear. Thank you, Dr. Lepisto.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services