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Published on: January 21, 2018
New insights into pediatric rhinosinusitis
1Institute of Pediatrics, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy. Nicola.Principi@unimi.it
Insights
Acute rhinosinusitis is common in children, often following a cold. Amoxicillin is recommended for mild cases, while severe infections require antibiotics that overcome resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Rhinosinusitis is a frequent pediatric illness, typically acute and bacterial, often developing after a common cold.
- Symptoms include persistent upper respiratory signs (>10 days) for mild cases, or fever and purulent nasal discharge for severe cases, impacting general health.
- Recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis in children may be linked to predisposing factors like allergies, cystic fibrosis, or immune deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the characteristics and management of pediatric rhinosinusitis.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies for mild, severe, and recurrent forms of the disease.
- To provide expert recommendations on antibiotic selection for pediatric rhinosinusitis.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for pediatric rhinosinusitis.
- Analysis of predisposing factors contributing to recurrent or chronic conditions.
- Evaluation of current antibiotic treatment guidelines, considering resistance patterns.
Main Results:
- Mild acute rhinosinusitis is characterized by prolonged symptoms, while severe cases present with fever and purulent discharge.
- Predisposing factors significantly influence the occurrence of recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis in children.
- Amoxicillin is the preferred antibiotic for mild cases; broad-spectrum antibiotics are indicated for severe infections.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic therapy is crucial for managing pediatric rhinosinusitis, with tailored approaches for disease severity.
- Expert consensus favors amoxicillin for mild cases and potent antibiotics for severe infections, addressing antibiotic resistance.
- Understanding predisposing factors is key for managing recurrent and chronic pediatric rhinosinusitis.
Abstract:
Rhinosinusitis is a common children's disease. Most cases are acute, follow an episode of common cold, and are the consequence of a superimposed bacterial infection. If mild, they are characterized by the persistence of signs and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease for more than 10 days; if severe, they involve fever and a purulent nasal discharge, and can cause a substantial decline in general health. Recurrent acute or chronic cases are usually diagnosed in children with predisposing factors, such as recurrent respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, ciliary dyskinesia, anatomic abnormalities or reflux. Therapy is based on antibiotics, administered orally in mild, and intravenously in severe cases. On the basis of recently highlighted antibiotic resistances and the possibility of spontaneous resolution, experts agree in considering amoxicillin the drug of choice for mild cases, and an antibiotic capable of overcoming all possible resistance for severe cases.
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