An unusual case of epistaxis in a four month old

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Epistaxis (nosebleeds) is common in adults and children, with incidence increasing with age.
• Nosebleeds are rare in infants and neonates, making such cases unusual and requiring careful evaluation.

Observation:

• A four-month-old male infant presented with significant epistaxis to a critical access hospital.
• Initial assessment suggested routine epistaxis, but further investigation revealed a large, complex epiglottic hemangioma.

Findings:

• The infant's epistaxis was caused by an airway-obstructing epiglottic hemangioma.
• Management involved topical tranexamic acid, nasal packing, ketamine sedation, and transfer to a tertiary care center.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering rare causes of epistaxis in infants.
• Effective airway management and multidisciplinary care are crucial for successful outcomes in complex pediatric cases.