Cancrum oris

ABSTRACT

Cancrum oris [noma] is an orofacial gangrene, which causes progressive and mutilating destruction of the infected tissues. The disease mainly occurs in children having malnutrition, poor oral hygiene and debilitating illness. It is well-documented in literature. In the international statistical classification of WHO, it is mentioned as necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis of children. Noma has disappeared from industrialized countries since the 20[th] century, but still common in third world countries especially in Africa