Publication:

Epistaxis in children: a clinical study

Background Epistaxis is a common condition among children. Most cases are due to vascular fragility in the nasal vestibule aggravated by digital trauma. Epistaxis is rare below 2 years. 30% of children of all children between 0-5 years, 56% aged between 6-10 years, 64% of those aged between 11-15 years have had at least 1 episode of epistaxis in their lifetime.

Methods A retrospective analysis was done on 56 patients of nasal bleed, at Institute of child health and Hospital for children / Madras Medical College, Chennai, between June 2015 - June 2016. The records of children were analysed. All the patients under went blood investigation. The statistical analysis was done for the age group.

Results There were 56 cases of nasal bleed enrolled in our study, out of which 35 were boys and 21 girls. The most common age group was between 6-10 years accounting for 27 cases. In laterality of nasal bleed right side was common. The most common site in nostril noted was from little’s area of nasal septum in 27 cases. The most common cause was idiopathic in 15 cases. Most of the cases were managed conservatively.

Conclusions Epistaxis is a common clinical condition among the paediatric age group. In all cases, ENT examination should be done to rule out nasal pathology or foreign body in nasal cavity and haematology workup is necessary. Majority of nasal bleed stops with digital pressure.