Severe ulcers in the mouth, leading to gangrene.
Cancrum oris, also called NOMA, is a gangrenous ulcer about the mouth which affects sickly children, especially after some severe disease such as measles. It is due to the growth of bacteria in the tissues.
Gangrenous destruction of oral and facial tissues occurring as a consequence of an infection of the gums (necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis), usually with anaerobic bacteria or herpesviruses. The disease is most commonly found in children who live in extremely impoverished circumstances, are severely malnourished, have poor oral hygiene, or a -recent measles infection. It is usually found in children from underdeveloped nations.