Proportion of paediatric admissions with any stage of noma at the Anka General Hospital, northwest Nigeria.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Noma is a rapidly spreading infection of the oral cavity which mainly affects young children. Without early treatment, it can have a high mortality rate. Simple gingivitis is a warning sign for noma, and acute necrotizing gingivitis is the first stage of noma. The epidemiology of noma is not well understood. We aimed to understand the prevalence of all stages of noma in hospitalised children.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study from 1st June to 24th October 2021, enrolling patients aged 0 to 12 years who were admitted to the Anka General Hospital, Zamfara, northwest Nigeria. Consenting parents/ guardians of participants were interviewed at admission. Participants had anthropometric and oral examinations at admission and discharge.

Findings<

SUBMITTER: Farley E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10645368 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature