Oral submucous fibrosis in children: an alarming condition and challenges in management

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a well-documented potentially malignant condition. It affects most commonly the adult patients of India and Indian subcontinent, only few cases affecting children have been reported in the literature. This paper presents three cases of OSF below the age of 12 years and reviews the aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment modalities in children with improved follow-up results. Clinical features like restricted mouth opening, burning sensation and history of betel nut chewing helps in the diagnosis of the patients, which can be confirmed by histopathological examination. Conservative management and oral physiotherapy in children help in improved mouth opening. Counselling the children, their friends and parents also plays a vital role. The present paper highlights that children on a larger scale are using tobacco products and further studies are required with larger sample size.