Cancrum oris or noma is a fatal infection of the mouth that mostly affects children between the ages of 1 and 16, with a peak incidence at ages 1 to 4. It destroys soft tissues and bones of the oral and paraoral structures. What is Noma? Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, is a severe and aggressive gangrenous process (a condition wherein body tissues die due to infection or lack of blood supply) that affects the mouth, nose, and lips. This fatal disease is particularly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated frequency of 1 to 7 cases per 1,000 individuals. Noma usually begins as an ulcer on the mucus membrane at the alveolar margin of the mouth and rapidly spreads into other parts of the mouth, including teeth, jawbone, cheek, tongue, lips, and nose. This eventually results in extensive necrosis and destruction of soft tissues and bones. Pathogenesis of Noma The exact pathophysiology of noma is not completely understood....
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