The Effects of Pregnancy Conditions on the Incidence of Nasal Septal Deformities in Neonates

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of nasal septal deformities (NSD) in neonates and to identify pregnancy conditions related with NSD occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 131 women and their newborns. Incidences of neonatal NSD were looked for with a cotton wool test and through direct visual examination of the neonatal nasal cavity with an otoscope. Under study were arbitrary but possibly related factors of neonatal NSD the mother's age, parity, medical history, the duration of total labor, the duration of second-stage labor, the delivery type, neonatal birth weight and gestational age. The contributions of these factors were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of neonatal NSD as identified through otoscopic examination was 11.5%. All studied factors indicated no statistically significant relationship with neonatal NSD. CONCLUSION: Probable nasal trauma during pregnancy and delivery is likely not a factor in the occurrence of NSD in neonates.