Nasal Congestion in Children

In the newborn period, especially in the first 3 months of life, the need for air is met only by nasal breathing. Partial or complete obstruction of nasal breathing as an airway entrance causes the child to experience the inability to breathe and respiratory failure. While this situation inevitably results in immediate airway obstruction, partial or single nasal obstruction clinically results in feeding difficulty. In this case, resolving airway obstruction may require a critical and urgent approach. For older age groups, the process of a blocked nose depends on evaluating complications that may occur depending on the degree of obstruction and the elimination of low quality of life due to obstruction. Etiologically, physiological and congenital causes cause nasal congestion more frequently in the newborn period, while infectious causes come to the fore as the child grows. Nasal examination in pediatric patients should be performed as thoroughly and completely as possible. Anatomical structures, especially those involving the upper airway, should be evaluated in detail with rigid or flexible endoscopy. Although radiological imaging methods are not routine after endoscopic evaluation with the preliminary diagnosis of nasal obstruction in children, they can be used when necessary in suitable patients. Detailed history taken from the family, routine ENT examination, and endoscopic examination provide essential clues in the differential diagnosis of nasal obstruction. Endoscopic examination is the gold standard practice for diagnosis. Radiological imaging and, in some cases, diagnostic biopsy may be performed.