Oral Myiasis in a 6-year-old Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report.

Abstract

Aims and background: Myiasis is an infestation of live humans or animals with dipterous larvae that feed on the host's live or dead tissue. The incidence of oral myiasis is rare and even less common in children. Poor oral hygiene, neurological disabilities, bedridden or locomotor disabilities, low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, etc., are shown as important predisposing factors.

Case description: A 6-year-old female child reported a chief complaint of swelling, pain, and bleeding in the upper front teeth region for 1 day. Extraoral examination showed swelling of the right anterior region involving the upper lip and persistent mouth opening. Intraoral examination revealed ulceration on the anterior labial gingiva and crawling of maggots on the anterior labial aspect with seeming communication with the palatal aspect. Mechanical removal of maggots and debridement followed by antibiotic application and resorbable suture placement was done. Fourteen-day follow-up showed satisfactory healing.

Conclusion: Myiasis is a serious condition that requires public measures aimed at controlling flies, along with the implementation of basic sanitation and maintaining good oral and personal hygiene, for its eradication.

Clinical significance: Oral myiasis is a rare condition. The mean age of affected individuals at diagnosis is usually 41.9 ± 27.2 years. The age of the patient in this case report is 6 years with a comorbidity of cerebral palsy.

How to cite this article: Gudipati M, Jampanapalli SR. Oral Myiasis in a 6-year-old Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(11):1281-1284.