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Immediate correction of congenital nasal deformities; follow-up of 8 years
M Sorri1, K Laitakari, J Vainio-Mattila
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Immediate treatment for newborn nasal deformities showed questionable benefits. Screening identified cases, but early intervention did not significantly alter long-term nasal structure or health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Health
- Medical Screening
Background:
- Congenital nasal deformities occur in newborns.
- Early detection and intervention are common practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of immediate treatment for congenital nasal deformities in newborns.
- To assess the efficacy of screening programs for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 4724 newborns identified 91 cases (1.9%) of congenital nasal deformities.
- 88 cases were analyzed: 55 untreated, 33 treated within a week of birth.
- A control group of 82 newborns without deformities was included.
- Follow-up at age 8 involved questionnaires and ENT re-examination.
Main Results:
- The luxated septal cauda showed a tendency to straighten spontaneously and after treatment.
- Mid-septal pathologies in the treated group were resistant to intervention.
- No significant difference in the clinical status of the nose was observed between treated and untreated groups at follow-up.
- No increased risk of otitis media or sinusitis was noted in treated infants.
Conclusions:
- Immediate treatment of congenital nasal deformities in newborns did not yield significant long-term clinical benefits.
- The value of early screening and intervention for these conditions remains uncertain.
- Further research may be needed to clarify optimal management strategies.
Abstract:
A total of 4724 newborns was screened for congenital nasal deformities. Altogether 91 (1.9%) pathological, screening-positive cases were found. Because of refusal to participate, 3 pathological cases were lost leaving 88 cases. The first 55 screening positive newborns were left without treatment while an attempt was made by an otolaryngologist to correct the remaining 33 cases within a week from delivery. Eighty-two newborns of those who passed the screening tests were analyzed as a control group. In 1987, at the age of 8 years the case and control children were interviewed by mailed questionnaire and invited to be re-examined by an ENT-surgeon. Forty-seven of the not corrected, 21 of the corrected cases and 61 controls came to the re-examination. The luxated septal cauda tended to be straight both spontaneously as well as after active treatment. The few mid-septal pathologies (vomerine junction) in the corrected group were resistant to the treatment attempted. The mid-septal deformities found in the follow-up were connected with frequent antibiotic prescriptions but not respiratory infections. No increase in frequency of otitis media or sinusitis was noticed. The immediate treatment of nasal deformities did not significantly affect the clinical status of the nose at the follow-up. Thus the benefit of immediate treatment on nasal deformities in newborns and screening to find them remains questionable.