Epstein Pearls

Have you ever noticed a tiny white to whitish yellow dot in the mouth of a newborn or an infant near the gingiva, where future molars will appear? These small spots are barely noticeable and you will see them come and grow in the infants mouth. You may worry whether it might be 'thrush' or some kind of yeast or fungal infection affecting the infant. However, this may not be such a worrisome condition as you think it is. It is a sign of Epstein pearls, common in newborn babies and infants. The following paragraphs will cover some information related to Epstein pearls that cause great worry in parents of toddlers.

What are Epstein Pearls in Newborn?
Epstein pearls in newborns are whitish yellow cysts that appear on the roof of the mouth and also on the gums. It is observed that over 80% of newborns develop Epstein pearls. These are protein filled cysts that lead to a lot of worries in new mothers. They are also known as gingival cysts, that are benign cyst. These cysts appearing on the roof of the mouth are called Epstein pearls in infants and when they make an appearance on the gums they are called Bohn's nodules.

Epstein pearls in infants are cysts that contain mucous membranes and epithelial cells that are trapped in a close pocket in the skin. They are mostly found along the midline of the palate, especially when the halves of the palate fuse during early fetal development. This causes the membranes to get trapped within the skin pockets.

Symptoms of Epstein Pearls in Newborns
There are no symptoms of Epstein pearls in infants. However, many mothers often confuse them with a candida infection in mouth or oral thrush in babies. They appear like solid bumps on the roof or gums in the mouth. They often look like emerging teeth in infants and are generally asymptomatic.

Treatment of Epstein Pearls in Newborns
Epstein pearls in infants or newborns does not need any treatment. They go away on their own within a few weeks, although they may also go away due to friction when the baby nurses.

There is no report of Epstein pearls in adults as this is a condition that is solely concerned with newborn babies and infants. You do not need to worry about Epstein pearls if you spot them in your baby. It will disappear in a few weeks on its own. If you have any concerns regarding the same, speak about it to a health care professional during your babies routine examinations.