Even though the sinuses are not fully developed in children, recognition of sinus infection is important so that a search for contributing factors can be undertaken and appropriate treatment be given. Most of these paranasal sinuses reach adult size by adolescence, with the frontals growing until age twenty. For this reason, the sinuses most commonly involved in infections are the maxillary and ethmoid, with the frontal and sphenoid becoming involved in late childhood and adolescence. Immaturity of the sinus cavities in infants makes sinus x-rays of little use at this age. His parents seem to be forever wiping mucus as it drips from his nose, and encouraging him to try to blow.
Several things can cause a constant runny nose in children.
Only a small percentage of these colds leads to an actual sinus infection. However, these colds account for an estimated twenty-six million missed school days. Children in day-care settings seem to be at an increased risk of upper respiratory infections, but with many mothers working today, day care is often a necessity and a difficult situation to alter. Aside from the common cold, allergies are probably the next greatest cause of the runny-nosed child. Allergy causes swelling of the nasal and sinus linings, and results in a watery nasal discharge or drip.