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Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
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Published on: January 21, 2018

Timing of rhinosinusitis complications in children

Aila Kristo1, Matti Uhari

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. aila.kristo@oulu.fi

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|August 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Complications from childhood acute rhinosinusitis typically arise early in illness, not after 10 days. This suggests current antibiotic recommendations for prolonged symptoms may not prevent these serious sinus infection complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Current guidelines recommend antimicrobials for acute rhinosinusitis in children if symptoms persist beyond 10 days.
  • A primary rationale for this recommendation is the prevention of sinus infection complications.
  • This study investigates the evidence supporting this guideline.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the timing of rhinosinusitis complications in children.
  • To determine if prolonged respiratory symptoms (over 10 days) precede these complications.
  • To assess the validity of current antibiotic treatment recommendations for pediatric acute rhinosinusitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records.
  • Inclusion criteria: children treated for rhinosinusitis complications.
  • Study period: February 1996 to March 2006.

Main Results:

  • Twenty children experienced rhinosinusitis complications.
  • Average duration of preceding acute respiratory infection symptoms was 5.1 days.
  • Only 3 children (15%) had symptoms lasting longer than 10 days before complication.

Conclusions:

  • Rhinosinusitis complications in children commonly occur early in the course of acute upper respiratory infections.
  • Findings do not support initiating antibiotics solely based on symptom duration exceeding 10 days.
  • Critical evaluation of antibiotic necessity is advised for prolonged, uncomplicated upper respiratory infections in children.
Abstract

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