Left untreated, severe nasal polyps in children often result in ongoing sinus inflammation and pain, as well as chronic breathing problems. These polyps or growths don't generally occur in children under the age of 10 years. When they do start forming, they typically develop in conjunction with an underlying chronic respiratory condition.
Background
Nasal polyps are sac-like lesions that form in the fluid-producing tissue lining your child's nose or sinus passages. These grape-shaped, non-cancerous growths could develop in one or both nostrils and are more likely to occur in children who suffer from ongoing inflammation-causing respiratory conditions, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic sinusitis and hay fever. Severe nasal polyps might protrude from your child's nose, but in most cases you won't see visible signs of the polyps, which generally start forming near the sinuses at the top of your child's nasal passages.
Symptoms
Mild pediatric nasal polyps sometimes don't produce noticeable symptoms, but more severe polyp growth typically results in nasal obstruction. The enlarged polyp lesions block portions of the nasal passages and can irritate sinus and nasal tissue, which results in swelling and inflammation. This blockage reveals itself in multiple ways, often through snoring, chronic mouth breathing, nasal congestion and a limited sense of smell. Children with nasal polyps frequently have a runny nose and many develop sinus and ear infections on a regular basis. Severe nasal polyps could contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, especially in children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Diagnosis
If you suspect your child might have nasal polyps, arrange an appointment with her primary care doctor. The doctor typically conducts a physical exam that includes a thorough examination of the nasal passages. In most cases, a primary care doctor who suspects nasal polyps refers young patients to an allergist or pediatric otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in working with children who suffer from ear, nose and throat disorders. More advanced testing includes MRI and CT scans of the sinuses, which help the doctor locate the polyps and rule out any other potential causes of the symptoms. Your child's doctor might also recommend testing for cystic fibrosis, since this condition often occurs in conjunction with nasal polyps in children.
Treatment
Treatment for pediatric nasal polyps varies, depending on the severity and cause of the condition. In more mild cases of nasal polyps, your child's health care provider might recommend medications, such as nasal or oral corticosteroids, which minimize polyp growth and reduce the underlying nasal and sinus inflammation. Severe nasal polyps often require nasal or sinus surgery to manually remove the growths, especially in children with underlying asthma or cystic fibrosis. Surgery follow-up care generally requires regular medication to prevent additional nasal polyps from developing.
References
- "Ballenger's Otolaryngology"; Dr. James Snow, et al.; 2008
- "Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics"; Dr. Robert Kliegman; 2006
- MedlinePlus: Nasal polyps
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children: Nasal Polyps
- "Pediatric Otolaryngology"; Dr. Charles Bluestone, et al.; 2002
