title: Noma: neglected, forgotten and a human rights issue.
abstract: Noma, an orofacial gangrene and opportunistic infection, affects primarily malnourished children living in extreme poverty. Neglected, forgotten, unknown by most health workers, noma results in death, disfigurement and disability of some of the world's most vulnerable children. Noma is a biological indicator of multiple human rights violations, including the right to food. International support and national attention in countries with noma are lacking. The end of neglect of noma can lead to the elimination of this horrific childhood disease.
authors.affiliation: Health Frontiers, Bhan Tat Khao, Vientiane, Laos leila@butterflychildren.org.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leila Srour
authors.affiliation: Dutch Noma Foundation, De Pôlle 24, 9084BT Goutum, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Klaas W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Marck
authors.affiliation: GESNOMA (Geneva Study Group on Noma), Service of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baratti-Mayer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications; D058069:Neglected Diseases; D009625:Noma / Q000209:etiology; D011203:Poverty
keywords: Cancrum oris; Developing countries; Human rights; Malnutrition; Neglected diseases; Noma