Malnutrition and the oral health of children in Ogbomosho, Nigeria

Abstract

Fifty-two Nigerian children, forty-five of whom were severely malnourished were examined to ascertain their level of oral health. Enamel hypoplasia, dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis were given special attention in this study, and each of these disorders was found to be more frequently seen in the malnourished child. In a followup study of the malnourished children treated at the Baptist nutritional center there was improvement in the children's oral health, manifested by improvement of their gingivitis and periodontitis as the child's nutritional level and general health improved. Other oral findings were noted and recorded, including two patients with cancrum oris (noma) and others with angular chelitis, cleft palate, fungal infections, and a peculiar intrinsic black stain of the teeth, among others.