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Effect of age on nasal cross-sectional area and respiratory mode in children

D W Warren1, W M Hairfield, E T Dalston

  • 1Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.

The Laryngoscope
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Childhood nasal airway size significantly increases with age, impacting breathing patterns. This study quanties nasal cross-sectional area growth from ages 6 to 15, revealing a clear developmental trend in nasal breathing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on pediatric nasal cross-sectional size and its correlation with age.
  • Understanding nasal airway development is crucial for identifying nasal airway impairment in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the mean nasal cross-sectional size in children aged 6 to 15 years.
  • To investigate the effect of age on nasal area and breathing mode in children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the pressure-flow technique to estimate nasal cross-sectional size.
  • Employed inductive plethysmography to assess nasal-oral breathing patterns.
  • Assessed 102 children during resting breathing conditions.

Main Results:

  • Nasal airway size demonstrated a consistent increase of approximately 0.032 cm² per year.
  • Mean nasal cross-sectional area expanded from 0.21 ± 0.05 cm² at age 6 to 0.46 ± 0.15 cm² at age 14.
  • The prevalence of nasal breathing positively correlated with increasing age.

Conclusions:

  • Age is a significant determinant of nasal cross-sectional area in children.
  • Nasal airway dimensions and breathing modes undergo substantial development throughout childhood.
  • Findings provide normative data essential for diagnosing pediatric nasal airway issues.

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