Evaluation of the risk factors in neonates with oral candidiasis

Background and Aim: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic disease of oral cavity particularly in neonates because of Candida overgrowth. Colonization of infant’s oral mucosa with Candida species is the primary stage for invasive candidiasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of risk factors and oral candidiasis. Methods: specimens were obtained from 70 infants who were suspected of having candidiasis, using the swabs samples were taken from the cheek, mucosa, tongue and palate surfaces. Specimens were assessed by routine mycological and molecular approaches. Results were statistically analyzed using the SPSS v16 software Results: From 70 infants, 50 species of Candida were isolated. The results showed that the incidence of oral candidiasis in infants was pointedly associated to type of delivery (normal/ cesarean), mode of nourishing (breast milk, milk powder, both of them), use of antibiotic medications, and use of milk flask. There was no significant relationship among pacifier and age. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between the incidence of oral candidiasis in newborns with type of delivery, breastfeeding, no use of milk jars and antibiotic use. Therefore, the presence of candida in the vagina of the pregnant mothers can cause the baby to develop candidiasis during birth.