Noma infection devastates children in northern Nigeria

Noma, a rapidly progressing and often fatal infection of the mouth and face, is causing significant devastation among children in northern Nigeria. Primarily affecting children aged 2 to 6, the disease typically begins as gum inflammation and can quickly destroy soft tissues and bone, leading to gangrene, severe dehydration, or death. The condition is closely linked to malnutrition, poor hygiene, and limited access to clean water.

Classified by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease, noma receives insufficient global funding and research. In northern Nigeria, the crisis is exacerbated by economic hardship, fragile healthcare services, and the displacement of populations due to armed violence. A study published in The Lancet Global Health, utilizing data from the Noma Children’s Hospital in Sokoto, estimated 50,782 new cases occurred between 1999 and 2024 across 12 northern states.

Medical professionals emphasize that early detection is critical; the disease can be halted with antibiotics, wound care, and nutritional support. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provide free multi-stage surgical interventions to help victims recover. While the WHO has not updated its global noma data since 1998, experts stress that early treatment can greatly reduce the impact of this neglected pathology.