Epistaxis in children – common causes and management

Journal Title: Nowa Pediatria - Year 2015, Vol 19, Issue 3

Abstract

 Introduction. Epistaxis is a common condition in children and knowledge of its’ common causes and means of treatment helps pediatricians and family doctors in their everyday clinical practice. Aim. To distinguish the most common causes of epistaxis in children seeking medical attention and to find the most efficient and accessible ways of treatment. Material and methods. 123 children with epistaxis admitted over a period of three years to the acute ward were analysed. The cause of bleeding and the child’s age were taken into consideration. Children with recurrent epistaxis underwent a CT scan and their coagulation parameters were analysed. Results. The biggest age group within the analysed population were children between the age of 1 and 6. The most common cause for epistaxis was trauma, including mucosal irritation, while a direct cause was not found in only 10% of the cases. A tumor within the nasal cavity or pharynx was found in several patients: an angiofibroma more often in teenage boys and a benign angioma in infants. Conclusions. Epistaxis in children is most often seen in preschool-aged children and is most commonly connected to mucosal irritation or other trauma and is not related to any systemic disorder. Bleeding usually stops after applying compression to the alae of the nose, but sometimes performing a nasal package or cauterization of the bleeding site is necessary. Further examination is needed in recurrent epistaxis. Tumors of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx should be always taken into consideration in differential diagnosis.

Authors and Affiliations

Piotr Kwast, Lidia Zawadzka-Głos

Keywords

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Epistaxis in children – common causes and management

 Introduction. Epistaxis is a common condition in children and knowledge of its’ common causes and means of treatment helps pediatricians and family doctors in their everyday clinical practice. Aim. To distinguis...

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  • EP ID EP117734
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How To Cite

Piotr Kwast, Lidia Zawadzka-Głos (2015). Epistaxis in children – common causes and management. Nowa Pediatria, 19(3), 83-86. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-117734