Pediatric sinusitis is an inflammation of the nose and sinuses. This is a common condition that affects children, normally brought on by the common cold or a viral infection. Pediatric sinusitis can also be caused by bacteria, environmental irritants, or any other inflammatory factors.
Although this health condition has been made aware for centuries, the full appreciation for its scope, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and complications has been realized just relatively recently. Cases of acute sinusitis in children can typically be treated with short courses of antibiotics.
Pediatric Sinusitis Symptoms
Simply diagnosing sinusitis in children can be difficult, since many of the symptoms of pediatric sinusitis are the same as the common cold. Some common sinus infection symptoms include:
Increased nasal discharge
Facial pain or pressure
Most of the time, physicians will be able to diagnose sinusitis from a description of the problem and examination, but in some cases a nasal endoscopy or CT scan may be necessary to identify the problem.
Since a common cold or viral infection can lead to a sinus infection, it’s common for children (especially those with allergies or who attend daycare/school) to have 4 to 6 upper respiratory infections or more per year.
Pediatric Sinusitis Treatments
Treatment for pediatric sinusitis will depend on the severity and cause. For example, if the diagnosis is bacterial sinusitis, nasal sprays and/or an antibiotic treatment will be prescribed. However, if the cause of sinusitis is a viral infection, antibiotics would not help (it can actually create an antibiotic resistance), and instead over the counter medication like ibuprofen or decongestants will be prescribed.
It is important for children to learn about proper nasal hygiene to prevent sinus infections from occurring. Simple practices like using tissues, avoiding nose-picking, washing hands often, and using a saline nose spray can help prevent sinusitis.
If other medical conditions are major contributing factors to your child’s sinusitis (allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, etc.) then further treatments may be recommended to improve and prevent the condition from recurring. In severe cases your physician may suggest a balloon sinuplasty, which is a minimally invasive surgical treatment option.