Common ENT Problems Missed by Parents
According to Philip Amoils, there are several ENT problems that parents often miss.
1. Runny, Snotty Nose: Adenoiditis
Adenoiditis is the inflammation of the adenoids, causing breathing issues, stuffiness, and restless sleep. Diagnosis is made based on history, with kids improving temporarily with antibiotics, but the infection returns after completion of the course.
On examination, there are often normal tonsils, but the child is an open mouth breather, and they have a chronic runny nose.
2. Severe Sinusitis of Childhood
Children with severe sinusitis are chronically ill with stuffy noses, thick mucus, and open mouth breathing. They are often listless and not physically active, missing school for allergies or sore throats, despite normal allergy testing and tonsil evaluations.
Diagnosis is made with a limited CT scan restricted to just the sinuses.
Author's summary: ENT problems in children can be missed by parents, including adenoiditis and sinusitis.