Obstrução nasal no recém-nascido: diagnóstico diferencial / Nasal obstruction of the newborn: a differential diagnosis

Introdução: A obstrução nasal é potencialmente grave quando acomete os recém-nascidos, respiradores nasais preferenciais. Os neonatos com obstrução nasal podem apresentar desde um quadro assintomático até uma situação grave de obstrução da via aérea, com cianose cíclica. A cianose piora com alimentação e melhora com choro. Apesar de a causa mais comum de obstrução no neonato ser o edema de mucosa secundário à rinite viral ou à rinite idiopática do lactente, é importante estar atento para o diagnóstico das alterações anatômicas nasais. Embora pouco frequentes, são afecções nas quais o diagnóstico e manejo precoces são fundamentais para evitar, além da obstrução da via aérea, as dificuldades de alimentação com aspiração recorrente. Objetivo: O objetivo da presente série de casos é descrever as três causas mais comuns de obstrução nasal anatômica no neonato: a atresia de coanas, a dacriocistocele e a estenose da abertura piriforme anterior. Considerações Finais: As características clínicas, investigação diagnóstica e tratamento dessas três patologias são apresentadas. Através disso, buscamos alertar para a importância de que a passagem de uma sonda nasal faça parte do exame físico de todo recém-nascido, em especial se ele apresentar disfunção respiratória ao nascimento e/ou cianose às mamadas.

Introduction: The nasal obstruction is potentially severe when affecting newborns, preferential nasal breathers. The newborns with nasal obstruction may present from an asymptomatic affection up to a severe situation of airway obstruction, with cyclical cyanosis. The cyanosis worsens with feeding and improves with crying. Despite the most common cause of obstruction in the newborn is mucosa edema secondary to viral rhinitis or idiopathic rhinitis of the child, it is important to be attentive to the diagnosis of the nasal anatomic alterations. Although not much frequent, they represent affections in which the early diagnosis and management are basic to prevent airway obstruction and feeding difficulties with recurrent aspiration. Objective: The objective of this case report is to describe the three most common causes of anatomic nasal obstruction in newborns: the choanal atresia, dacryocystocele and anterior piriform opening stenosis. Final Comments: The clinical characteristics, diagnostic investigation and treatment of these three pathologies are presented. Therefore, we seek to alert as to the importance that the nasal probe passage be part of the physical exam of every newborn, specially when it has breathing disorder upon birth and/or cyanosis when breastfeeding.

Systematic literature review of modifiable risk factors for recurrent acute otitis media in childhood

OBJECTIVE: Review evidence about modifiable risk factors for recurrent acute otitis media.SOURCE OF DATA: MEDLINE with no language restriction, from January 1966 to July 2005, using descriptors "acute otitis media/risk factors". Two hundred and fifty-seven articles were obtained. These included randomized clinical trials, cohorts, case-control and cross-sectional studies that contained analyses of modifiable risk factors for the development of recurrent acute otitis media as the main objective and with samples of individuals up to the age of 18 years. Except when relevant, the following were excluded: non-systematic reviews, reports of cases, series of cases, and medical society guidelines. SUMMARY OF DATA: Nine risk factors linked to the host and eight linked to the environment were identified. Of the first group, allergy, craniofacial abnormalities, gastroesophageal reflux and the presence of adenoids were classified as modifiable. In the second category, upper airway infections, day care center attendance, presence of siblings/family size, passive smoking, breastfeeding and use of pacifiers were included. Afterwards, the risk factors were classified in accordance with levels of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors established for recurrent acute otitis media and capable of being modified were the use of pacifiers and care in daycare centers. The probable risk factors were privation of mother's milk, presence of siblings, craniofacial abnormalities, passive smoking and presence of adenoids. No modifiable factor was classified as unlikely. Among those that need further study are allergy, gastroesophageal reflux and passive smoking during gestation.