Ear, nose and throat [E.N.T] diseases in children: patterns and risk factors

ABSTRACT

Ear, nose, and throat [E.N.T] diseases are common in children. Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to ensure adequate growth and development. To determine patterns of E.N.T diseases in children and define risk factors affecting them. A Cross- sectional study of 264 children under the age of 12 years attended E.N.T clinic/ Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital/ Baghdad from the period of 1/10/2006 to 28/2/2007. We analyzed the following data age, gender, residence, family size, socio-economic status, parental educational level, family history of atopy, presence of smoking, state of vaccination, presence of anemia or any concomitant chronic illness, and final diagnosis. Statistical analysis was done through Chi-Square. Males outnumbered females [48.1% vs. 51.9%] [P>0.05].The encountered prevalent E.N.T problems included those of pharynx and tonsils [41.7%], nose [18.6%], ear [16.3%], larynx [6.8%], adenoids [6.0%], sinuses [5.3%], and miscellaneous disorders [5.3%]. Overall, infections were the predominant [57.9%] followed by foreign bodies impaction [11.7%] and allergy [6.0%]. Statistical analysis revealed that crowding, low socio-economic status, poor parental educational level, smoking, and anemia were statistically significant risk factors [P<0.05]. Pediatricians and E.N.T specialists share a combined responsibility in managing properly the commonest pediatric E.N.T problems. Enhancement of educational and preventive programs targeting the relevant risk factors is suggested