Neonatal Nasal Obstruction: A Comprehensive Analysis of Our 20 Years' Experience

Neonates are obligatory nasal breathers hence nasal obstruction is a very important symptom to be evaluated. Although causes can be trivial most of the time, they can be life-threatening in some. Respiratory distress immediately after birth, feeding difficulties, paradoxical cyanosis, and failure to thrive are the most evident symptoms, and determination of unilateral or bilateral involvement guides the rationale for elective or emergency intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the causes, presentation, and management of neonates with nasal obstruction. We collected the data of all the neonates evaluated for nasal obstruction at our hospital over the past 20 years from June 2003 to May 2023 and assessed the strategy of approach for diagnosis and management of those cases. In our study, the commonest cause for neonatal nasal obstruction was found to be choanal atresia and the rarest was iatrogenic. A variety of other causes were also reported. As neonatal nasal obstruction has a multitude of rare causes each carries a unique assessment and treatment plan. History taking and clinical examination are the most important parts of evaluation including endoscopic evaluation in an office-based setup. Imaging studies add to the evaluation of cases of anatomical obstructions and associated anomalies (syndromes). Early diagnosis and swift intervention can be life-saving. The need for follow-up visits and second-stage corrections should be emphasized in getting the best long-term results.