Is noma a neglected/overlooked tropical disease?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background:

• Noma is a severe orofacial necrotizing bacterial disease predominantly affecting impoverished, malnourished children in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The disease has a high mortality rate and causes significant physical, psychological, and social morbidity, including stigmatization.
• Current public health awareness, research, and funding for noma are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a simpler, more practical, and scientifically valid two-stage classification for noma (acute and arrested noma).
• To advocate for the inclusion of noma in the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Main Methods:

• Critical review of the existing WHO five-stage staging system for noma.
• Proposal of a revised two-stage classification system based on clinical presentation.
• Analysis of noma's characteristics against WHO criteria for NTD classification.

Main Results:

• The existing WHO staging system for noma is contentious and leads to diagnostic confusion.
• A proposed two-stage classification (acute noma and arrested noma) offers improved clarity and practicality.
• Noma meets all criteria for classification as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

Conclusions:

• Revising the noma classification system is crucial for accurate epidemiological studies and diagnosis.
• Inclusion of noma as an NTD on the global health agenda is essential to increase awareness and facilitate international data collection.
• Prioritizing noma will drive research, prevention, and treatment efforts for this devastating disease.