Sinus problems in children

Sinus problems in children are less common than in adults for a simple reason - child’s sinuses are not fully developed until late in the teen years! In adults, there are 4 main pairs of sinuses: maxillary (behind the cheek), ethmoid (between the eyes), frontal (in the forehead area), and sphenoid (the hidden paranasal cavity, located approximately in the middle of the head). In children, only the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses are present at birth!

Unlike in adults, pediatric sinusitis is difficult to diagnose because symptoms of sinusitis can be caused by other problems, such as viral illness and allergy.

The following symptoms may indicate that your child suffers from sinus infection:

• symptoms of a “common cold” lasting more than 14 days, sometimes accompanied with a low-grade fever

• thick, persistent yellow-green nasal discharge

• complaints of a post-nasal discharge, sometimes leading to sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea or vomiting

• prolonged nighttime cough

• facial discomfort

• headache in children age six or older

• swelling around the eyes, often worse in the morning

Your child's ENT specialist can diagnose sinusitis based on your child's symptoms and physical examination. In some cases additional tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. These may include sinus x-rays, computed tomography, or microbial cultures from sinuses.