RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal septal deformities have been reported at all ages and in all races. Many factors have been reported as being causative factors in nasal septal deformities. Among the factors, birth trauma was first reported by Metzenbaum as being a causative factor in nasal septal deformities, and has since been reported by many other authors. The aim of this study was to find if birth trauma is a cause of nasal septal deformities and to assess the frequency of neonatal septal deformities in Korean neonates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The experiment was performed in a randomized group of neonates. A number of 602 neonates aged 1- 2 days have been examined in a two-month period. A number of 278 neonates were born by natural vaginal delivery (group A), 264 by elective cesarean section (group B) and 60 by emergency cesarean section (group C). The nasal septa of neonates were examined by otoscope, cotton wool test and strut test. RESULT: The septal deformities have been found in 66 neonates of group A (23.74%), in 32 of group B (12.12%) and in 11 of group C (18.33%). The Frequency of septal deformities was higher in group A compared to group B and C (p<0.05). In the group A neonates with septal deformity, however, the correlations between parity and septal deformity and between birth weight and septal deformity were not statistically significant (p <0.05). The overall incidence of septal deformities in the investigated neonates was 18.1% in this study. CONCLUSION: Birth trauma is a causative factor of neo natal septal deformities.