Management of Oral Thrush in an Infant with Cleft Lip and Palate (A Case Report)

Abstract

Oral candidiasis is the most common human fungal infection seen with a wide range of carrier rates ranging from 2% to as high as 95% among various age groups, especially in children and the elderly, often found in immunocompromised individuals but can also occur in healthy individuals. Although considered a pathogen, Candida albicans is a commensal organism that usually colonizes the oral mucosa and is isolated in the oral cavity of healthy individuals. Several risk factors for oral candidiasis in cleft lip and palate patients include changes in oral microflora, variations in hard and soft tissue anatomy, immunocompromised state, and high number of frequent hospitalizations. Candida albicans adhering to the oral cavity can be a cause of infection, however, removal of adherent candida cells from the mucosal surface through the effects of salivary flow and swallowing is the most important factor in preventing candida overgrowth. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the management of oral thrush in infant with cleft lip and palate.