Author(s): Seema Sharma, Ashwani Sood, Dipty Jain
This study was performed to determine the frequency of complications (pharynigtis / tonsillitis/ sinusitis / otitis media) in children with persistent rhinorrhoea. Methods: Children aged 6 months to 12 years were enrolled as per inclusion criteria and follow up examination was done on day 3 and day 10. Tympanometry was done on 30th day to assess impedance hearing impairment. The rate of complications was compared between children with persistent rhinorrhoea and those with acute rhinorrhoea. Reults: Out of 222 patients with persistent rhinorrhoea, 152 (68.5%) had pharyngitis, 47(21.2%), had tonsillitis, 79 (35.6%) had otitis media, 65 (29.2%) had lymphadenitis, 11 (5.0%) had sinusitis, 13 (5.9%) had acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).Conclusion: The study demonstrated that children with persistent rhinorrhoea have significantly higher level of complications than patients with acute rhinorrhea. Hence, it is important to to identify these children with high risk for complications. Key words: Otitis media; Pharyngitis ;Rhinorrhoea; Sinusitis. Accepted January 12 2009 Introduction