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Nasal saline irrigation in children: a study of compliance and tolerance
Jill S Jeffe1, Bharat Bhushan, James W Schroeder
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Insights
Nasal saline irrigation is well-tolerated by most children, with 86% tolerating the treatment. This study shows that children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Nasal saline irrigation is a common treatment for various pediatric nasal conditions.
- Parental and physician assumptions about children's tolerance may limit its routine recommendation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the compliance and tolerance of nasal saline irrigation in pediatric patients.
- To assess the perceived effectiveness and continued use of nasal saline irrigation by children.
Main Methods:
- A phone survey was conducted with parents of children diagnosed with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea.
- Inclusion criteria involved children prescribed nasal saline, instructed on its use, and available for follow-up.
- Parents completed a questionnaire regarding their child's experience with nasal saline irrigation.
Main Results:
- 93% of children attempted nasal saline irrigation, and 86% tolerated it well.
- 84% of parents reported improvement in nasal symptoms, and 77% continued use for symptom relief.
- 93% of parents attributed improvements in their child's overall health to nasal saline irrigation.
Conclusions:
- Parental and physician concerns regarding children's tolerance to nasal saline irrigation appear to be overestimated.
- The majority of children, irrespective of age, demonstrate good tolerance to nasal saline irrigation.
- Nasal saline irrigation is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for pediatric nasal symptoms.
Objective:
To determine the compliance with and tolerance of nasal saline irrigation in children.
Study Design:
Phone survey.
Setting:
Tertiary pediatric hospital.
Methods:
Children diagnosed with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea from sinusitis, chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis were identified. Children who were prescribed a therapeutic course of nasal saline, who were instructed how to administer the treatment and who were available for follow up were included. Parents were contacted by phone and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their child's experience with nasal saline irrigation.
Results:
61 Children met inclusion criteria. 73% of parents initially thought that nasal saline irrigation would be helpful, but only 28% thought that their children would tolerate the treatment. 93% of children made an attempt to use nasal saline irrigation and 86% were able to tolerate the treatment. 84% of parents whose children attempted nasal saline irrigation noted an improvement in their child's nasal symptoms. 77% of children that attempted nasal saline irrigation continue to use this treatment for symptom relief. 93% reported an improvement in their child's overall health that they attributed to this treatment.
Conclusions:
Perhaps the biggest barrier to routine recommendation of nasal saline irrigation in children is the assumption by both parents and physicians that children will not tolerate it. However, this study demonstrates that the majority of children, regardless of age, were judged by their parents to tolerate nasal saline irrigation.
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