Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, emphasized the particular susceptibility of newborns. "Direct kissing of the baby on the lip is not too good," he stated in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise. "Especially if it is from someone who is not really an immediate member of the family. By direct kissing, you are putting the child at risk of lots of things." He elaborated that the immature immune systems of infants make them highly vulnerable to pathogens transmitted through direct mouth-to-mouth contact. "For newborns, their bodies are still new, and they are more prone to infections, especially through the skin. So, direct contact can introduce agents that their bodies may not be able to handle."
While acknowledging the natural inclination to show affection to babies, Dr. Alege strongly advocated for safer alternatives. He suggested that expressions of love could be conveyed by kissing the cheek, forehead, or other parts of the body, stressing that "direct contact like mouth to mouth is not advised. You don’t even know the person’s level of hygiene or health status. It is not advised for the child."
One of the serious infections that can be transmitted through kissing, Dr. Alege warned, is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). He explained, "For example, adults with HPV can transmit the virus to a baby through kissing. It may not show symptoms immediately, but it can manifest later because the baby has been exposed to the virus. And we know that HPV is one of the risk factors of cancer, especially cervical cancer in women." This alarming potential for long-term health consequences underscores the gravity of the paediatricians' advice.
Beyond HPV, Dr. Alege highlighted the risk of transmitting common bacteria and viruses residing in the mouths and throats of adults. Many individuals are often unaware of the microbes they carry, and direct kissing can also predispose babies to fungal infections like oral candidiasis, commonly known as oral thrush. "For example, someone who is immunocompromised or has an oral infection (we call it oral candidiasis) and then puts their mouth directly on another person’s mouth, especially a baby, can easily transmit the infection," he explained. He contrasted this with adults who, possessing stronger immune systems, are generally better equipped to fight off such infections.
"But it’s not the same for newborns and infants. If someone has a sore in the mouth or oral thrush and then uses that same mouth to kiss a newborn or infant, the child can contract a fungal infection." He reiterated the severity: "Fungal infections are serious infections — and because the infant’s immune system is not fully developed like that of an adult, they can’t fight it effectively. So, as far as kissing babies on the mouth is concerned, it’s not advisable."
Further reinforcing this crucial warning, Dr. Oluwabunmi Mokuolu, a Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, pointed out the widespread presence of allergies among individuals. She noted that people carrying babies might have allergies like colds, which are typically transmitted by viruses.
"By the time you are kissing the baby, colds are usually transmitted by viruses, you are indirectly transferring these viruses to these babies," Dr. Mokuolu stated. "So, you are increasing their chance/chances of having a cold and other viral infections. These bring down their immunity. You know they are really small and they are new to the world and their immune system is weak."
Dr. Mokuolu stressed that what might seem like a minor cold to an adult can have severe repercussions for an infant. "A cold can be very serious for a baby. Although, no cough is little. To adults, it is little but to babies, it is not. That cough can be something else to the child."
She warned that such infections can lead to bacterial coughs, with the poor child lacking sufficient antibodies or immunity to fight them off effectively like an adult. Tragically, she noted that some babies could even succumb to viral infections if parents delay presenting them to the hospital for treatment. "If they have these diseases, they are usually in a severe form of the diseases and it is not good for them. Some can even die from it because parents bring those babies late to the hospital," the consultant cautioned.
The American Paediatrics Academy (APA) echoes these warnings, extending the caution even to parents with existing health issues. The APA specifically advises parents or relatives with cold sores to be exceptionally careful not to kiss babies, underscoring that their immune systems are not fully developed until they are approximately six months old. Cold sores, being highly contagious, can spread through saliva, skin-to-skin contact, or by touching objects handled by an infected person.
The APA detailed the potential severe consequences for infants, including the spread of blisters beyond the lips to the mouth and gums, accompanied by fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, irritability, and drooling. More alarmingly, the virus from cold sores can spread to the eyes, leading to HSV keratitis, an infection of the cornea which, in severe cases, can result in corneal scarring or even blindness.
In light of these expert warnings, parents and caregivers are urged to exercise extreme caution and adopt alternative expressions of affection to safeguard the delicate health of infants and newborns. The message is clear: when it comes to babies, a kiss on the lips is a risk not worth taking.