Oral submucous fibrosis in a 5 year old child

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the potentially malignant disorders (PMDs), predominantly observed in adults with a habit of chewing areca nut. A rapid increase in the use of commercially available nicotine products, especially among the children and adolescents, is a reason for consequential concern. Nicotine products remain to be the chief etiological factor, which increases the susceptibility of the oral mucosa to different kinds of PMDs irrespective of the age groups. Here is a case report of oral submucous fibrosis in a 5-year-old child, highlighting a strong association of areca nuts in the causation of OSMF.

Keywords

• areca nut
• nicotine
• oral submucous fibrosis
• potentially malignant disorder