Aim: To review the records of child patients with cancrum oris who presented at a teaching hospital in Nigeria.
Setting: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Sample and methods: The study was carried out through review of records of child patients diagnosed as having cancrum oris or post-cancrum oris defects between 1982 and 1996. Age, gender, site distribution, treatment and its outcome were recorded.
Results: One hundred and forty-two cases were diagnosed during the study period. Mean age was 4.65 years (range 2-16 years). The maxillary quadrants were affected more often than the mandibular. Seventeen patients completed treatment satisfactorily, but 55 failed to do so. All patients had evidence of malnutrition.
Conclusions: The findings of this and other studies demonstrate the need for major initiatives to address the underlying causes of cancrum oris and to promote the utilization of health care.