A FATAL FUNGI: MUCORMYCOSIS IN CHILDREN, A CONCERN TO PEDIATRIC DENTIST

JR Ramya, Gupta Nidhi*, Gambhir Natasha, Singh Rashi, Singh Divya

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the various clinical effects of Mucormycosis and its management in children and the association of mucormycosis with Covid 19 pandemic. Data and Sources: A search for the published literature was done through the National library of medicine (PubMed) and Google Scholar using the search terms: Mucormycosis, Zygomycosis, Mucorales, and Fungal infection in children. Study selection: Studies with the clinical manifestations of mucormycosis, epidemiology of mucormycosis, the various diagnostic aids available, the prevention and further management after its onset in children were included in this review. Conclusions: This review gives a brief idea regarding the forms of mucormycosis, of which the invasive mucormycosis if fatal which is of concern to dentist. Hence by controlling the etiological risk factors, mucormycosis can be prevented. Clinical significance: As mucormycosis has become one of the life threatening emergencies, mainly in the Covid 19 pandemic, the prevention and management of various types of mucormycosis in both children and adult could be possible by using the various diagnostic aids which helps to delineate this mucormycosis from other fungal infections.

Keywords: Mucormycosis, Mucorales, Children, Covid 19 associated Mucormycosis, Pediatric Dentistry, and Types of Mucormycosis.