Epidemiology of Epistaxis Among Children Presenting to POF Hospital, Wah Cantonment

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is a common condition among children. Epistaxis originates from the anterior nasal portion due to vascular fragility in the little’s area aggravated by digital trauma, mainly in the paediatric age group. Epistaxis is rare below the age of 2 years. There are multiple options for the management of epistaxis.

Objectives: Our study aimed to explore the aetiology and management of epistaxis among children presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Wah Cantt.

Methods: This retrospective study used data from 72 patients who presented with nasal bleeding at P.O.F Hospital, Wah Cantt, between January 2023 and January 2024. The patients with unknown hematocrit and coagulation profile values were excluded from the study. The descriptive analysis of data was performed by using SPSS version 25

Results: Among the 72 included children, 58.3% were aged between 6 and 10 years, with 76.4% of patients being male. In 51.4% of the cases site of bleed was little’s area of septum. Epistaxis was idiopathic in 20 cases, while among known causes, digital picking was prevalent among 25% of the children. Nearly 82% of the cases were managed conservatively.

Conclusion: An ENT examination is always needed to rule out nasal disease or foreign bodies in the nasal cavity. Most nasal bleeds in children resolve with digital pressure. Parents should be careful about their children's nose-picking habits, as it is a major cause of nasal bleeds