Ocular complications among Noma survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Cross-sectionalJournal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery· May 2026

Ocular complications among Noma survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Mujtaba Bala, Anas Ibrahim Yakubu, Surajo Musa … Abdullahi Ibrahim

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OculoplasticsCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ1IF 2.4

Orbital dystopia is the most common ocular finding among Noma survivors

Ocular complications among Noma survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Mujtaba Bala … Abdullahi Ibrahim

Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery · May 2026

Background

Noma (cancrum oris) is a swiftly advancing gangrenous condition that predominantly impacts malnourished children in low-resource environments.

Purpose

To describe the pattern and distribution of ocular manifestations among Noma survivors attending a Noma referral center in North-western Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Noma Children's Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, over a period of 2 years and 5 months (January 2022 - June 2025).

n = 62 participants

Results

checked for eye misalignment in the socket - found in most survivors

79%

Orbital dystopia

67.7%

Lower eyelid defects

51.6%

Ectropion

27.4%

Ocular dysmotility

More results

Forty-four participants (71.0%) had stage V disease, while 18 participants (29.0%) had stage IV disease.

Pseudoesotropion was the least frequent finding, observed in 8.1% of cases.

Statistically significant associations were observed between dystopia and sex (χ² = 4.413, p = 0.036) and between ectropion and sex (χ² = 4.340, p = 0.030).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Ocular sequelae are frequently observed and exhibit a variety among Noma survivors, with orbital dystopia and lower eyelid defect representing the most common findings.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings emphasise the importance of early ophthalmological evaluation and multidisciplinary reconstructive intervention in the management of Noma survivors.

Ocular complications among Noma survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Ocular complications among Noma survivors: A cross-sectional study.

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