It was prepared for the purpose of stimulating group discussion in a conference setting. No warranties, either express or implied, are made with respect to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. The material does not necessarily reflect the current or past opinions of members of the UTMB faculty and should not be used for purposes of diagnosis or treatment without consulting appropriate literature sources and informed professional opinion. You are asked to evaluate a cause and make recommendations as to possible treatment.
Nasal obstruction is a common complaint in children.
It usually is a self limiting condition and resolves without treatment and maybe only a minor inconvenience. It can however, be quite uncomfortable for the child and may cause a significant problem with dento-facial abnormalities and cardiopulmonary such as pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Also, several rare but potentially life threatening conditions may be the cause of the nasal obstruction and must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Snoring may be only minor annoyance, however, it may indicate obstructive sleep apnea and it is a symptom that requires investigation. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by mechanical obstruction in the upper airway.