Noma

Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, is a severe, rapidly progressive gangrenous infection of the mouth and face. It is not a genetic disorder but rather an infectious disease that predominantly affects malnourished children, typically between the ages of 2 and 6 years, living in conditions of extreme poverty and poor sanitation, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is classified under Orphanet code 2700 and ICD-10 code A69.0. Noma begins as a small ulcer or lesion on the gingiva (gums) or oral mucosa, often following a debilitating illness such as measles, malaria, or other infections that compromise the immune system. The infection rapidly spreads, causing destruction of the soft and hard tissues of the face, including the lips, cheeks, nose, and jaw bones. The gangrenous process can perforate through the skin, leading to devastating facial disfigurement. Without treatment, noma has a mortality rate estimated at approximately 90%. Key predisposing factors include severe malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, immunosuppression, and recent infectious illness. Treatment of noma requires early detection and prompt intervention. In the acute phase, management includes broad-spectrum antibiotics (such as amoxicillin or metronidazole), nutritional rehabilitation, wound care, and treatment of underlying conditions. Survivors of the acute phase are often left with severe facial deformities, including trismus (inability to open the mouth), which require complex reconstructive surgery. Prevention strategies focus on improving nutrition, oral hygiene, vaccination programs, and access to healthcare in at-risk populations. In 2023, the World Health Organization added noma to its list of neglected tropical diseases, increasing global awareness and efforts toward prevention and treatment.

Age of Onset

Childhood

Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12

Data is compiled from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov, then processed through automated extraction; event classifications and dates may occasionally be misclassified. Verify against the linked FDA filing or trial record before clinical decisions. Updated periodically.

Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest

Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)

Source: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months

Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC

Common questions about Noma