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Journal Article > Research

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

Farley ES, Karinja MN, Lawal AM, Olaleye M, Muhammad S, Umar M, Gaya FK, Mbaeri SC, Sherlock M, Kabila DW, Peters M, Samuel J, Maloba G, Usman R, van der Kam S, Ritmeijer KKD, Ariti C, Amirtharajah M, Lenglet AD, Falq G
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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 exams at admission and discharge.

FINDINGS
Of the 2346 patients, 58 (2.5%) were diagnosed with simple gingivitis and six (n = 0.3%) with acute necrotizing gingivitis upon admission. Of those admitted to the Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC), 3.4% (n = 37, CI 2.5–4.7%) were diagnosed with simple gingivitis upon admission compared to 1.7% of those not admitted to the ITFC (n = 21, CI 1.1–2.6%) (p = 0.008). Risk factors identified for having simple gingivitis include being aged over two years (2 to 6 yrs old, odds ratio (OR) 3.4, CI 1.77–6.5; 7 to 12 yrs OR 5.0, CI 1.7–14.6; p = <0.001), being admitted to the ITFC (OR 2.1; CI 1.22–3.62) and having oral health issues in the three months prior to the assessment (OR 18.75; CI 10.65, 33.01). All (n = 4/4) those aged six months to five years acute necrotizing gingivitis had chronic malnutrition.

CONCLUSION
Our study showed a small proportion of children admitted to the Anka General Hospital had simple or acute necrotizing gingivitis. Hospital admission with malnutrition was a risk factor for both simple and acute necrotizing gingivitis The lack of access to and uptake of oral health care indicates a strong need for oral exams to be included in routine health services. This provision could improve the oral status of the population and decrease the chance of patients developing noma.
Countries
Nigeria
Subject Area
pediatricsneglected tropical diseasesnoma
DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011508
Published Date
27-Oct-2023
PubMed ID
37889919
Languages
English
Journal
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 17, Issue 10, Pages e0011508
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Linked Items

Conference Material > Poster
Proportion of paediatric admissions with any stage of noma at the Anka General Hospital, Northwest Nigeria
03-May-2024
Conference Material > Video
Proportion of paediatric admissions with any stage of noma at the Anka General Hospital, Northwest Nigeria
03-May-2024