Paediatric otorhinolaryngology, head and neck emergencies at a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Paediatric otorhinolaryngology emergency is a common disorder worldwide which is poorly reported in most developing countries like Nigeria.

Methods: This study was aprospective hospital-based study of paediatric patients with otorhinolaryngology, head and neck emergency in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department carried out between June 2016 and May 2018. Data were obtained by using a pretested interviewers assisted questionnaire. All data were analysed using SPSS version 18.0.

Results: Paediatric otorhinolaryngological emergencies accounted for 7.6% of all patients seen in the unit. There were more males (69.5%). Common aetiologies were foreign body impaction (43.3%), infection/inflammation(32.6%) and tumour(1.3%). Anatomically the emergencies involved the ear in 42.1%, 30.9% nasal and 23.2% throat respectively. The most common clinical features were foreign body impaction in 35.2%, pain in 31.3%, bleeding in 19.7%, difficulty breathing in 17.6% and nasal blockage in 15.9%. Common sources of referral were paediatricians in  32.6%,casualty officers in 28.8%, a family physician in 22.3% and self -reporting in 15.0%. Complications at presentation include: 27.0%  injury/bleeding, 18.0% otitis externa, 11.2% rhinosinusitis and 10.3% perforated tympanic membrane.

Conclusion: Pediatric otorhinolaryngology emergencies are common in our centre and were associated with complications at presentation due to wrong interventions.

Keywords: Paediatric, Head, Neck Otorhinolaryngology, Emergency, Nigeria