Systematic scoping review of the noma evidence landscape: current knowledge and gaps.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Noma (cancrum oris) is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and oro-facial structures. Noma often affects young children living in extreme poverty, malnutrition and poor sanitation. Gaps remain in understanding its aetiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment.

Methods and findings

We systematically searched databases for all primary research studies (clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control, cross-sectional, other observational studies, case studies/series) reporting noma patients of any age up to 7 December 2022. The 366 publications (published between 1839 and 2022) included in our scoping review describe 15 082 patients. Although 53 cohort and 29 cross-sectional studies were identified, enrolling 13 489 patients, interventional research remains ex

SUBMITTER: Maguire BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12315006 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature