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Rhinitis in children less than 6 years of age: current knowledge and challenges
Antony Hardjojo1, Antony Hadjojo, Lynette Pc Shek
1Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
Insights
Rhinitis is common in young children, affecting quality of life and incurring costs. More research is needed due to limited understanding and treatment guidelines for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Rhinitis, characterized by nasal symptoms, impacts quality of life and society.
- It is a common condition in children under six years old.
- Etiology is diverse, including allergic and non-allergic forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on rhinitis in children under six years old.
- To identify knowledge gaps and unmet needs in managing pediatric rhinitis.
Main Methods:
- A PubMed search of literature published between 2006 and September 2011.
- Focus on epidemiological studies and management considerations for young children.
Main Results:
- Rhinitis is prevalent in children under six.
- Viral infections may contribute to chronic rhinitis, but evidence is limited.
- Treatment guidelines and pharmacotherapy options are scarce for this age group, especially under two years.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of understanding regarding rhinitis in early childhood.
- Further research is crucial to develop effective management strategies and guidelines.
- Co-morbidities like otitis media and asthma require consideration in management.
Abstract:
Rhinitis is a disease of the upper airway characterized by runny and/or blocked nose and/or sneezing. Though not viewed as a life threatening condition, it is also recognized to impose significant burden to the quality of life of sufferers and their caretakers and imposes an economic cost to society. Through a PubMed online search of the literature from 2006 to September 2011, this paper aims to review the published literature on rhinitis in young children below the age of 6 years. It is apparent from epidemiology studies that rhinitis in this age group is a relatively common problem. The condition has a heterogenous etiology with classification into allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Respiratory viral infections may play a role in the pathogenesis of long standing rhinitis, but definitive studies are still lacking. Treatment guidelines for management are lacking for this age group, and is a significant unmet need. Although the consensus is that co-morbidities including otitis media with effusion, adenoidal hypertrophy and asthma, are important considerations of management of these children. Pharmacotherapy is limited for young children especially for those below the age of 2 years. This review underscores the lack of understanding of rhinitis in early childhood and therefore the need for further research in this area.
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