Nasal septum deformities in children and adolescents: a cross sectional study of children from Zagreb, Croatia.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of nasal septum deformities in children have been performed over the last three decades. As these studies were performed in children of various age groups and used different classifications of septal deformities (without detailed morphologic systematization), it is no surprise that the results differ greatly from study to study. The purpose of the study was to evaluate clinical data on the total prevalence of nasal septum deformities and particular types of deformity in children and adolescents.
METHODS: The study population consisted of 1797 randomly selected subjects divided into pre-school (aged 2-6), primary school (aged 7-14), secondary school (aged 15-18) and university (aged 19-22) groups. The native state was determined by means of anterior rhinoscopy without previous application of vasoconstrictive drugs. The observed pathologic septal deformities were classified into seven types according to Mladina's classification. A straight septum was designated as S. The prevalence of septum deformities in the population was calculated with 95% probability. Differences with respect to sex and types of deformity were tested by chi(2)-test.
RESULTS: The prevalence of nasal septum deformities according to age groups was 28.0% in the 2-6 group, 21.1% in the 7-14 group, 40.6% in the 15--18 group and 41.8% in the 19-22 group. The distribution of the seven types of septal deformity was 51.1, 23.5, 5, 0.8, 10.0, 9.0 and 0.6%, respectively. The mean values (%) and 95% confidence intervals for the seven types of septal deformity were 14.7 (13.1-16.4%), 6.8 (5.6-7.9%), 1.4 (0.9-1.9%), 0.2 (0.0-0.4%), 2.9 (2.1-3.7%), 2.6 (1.9-3.4%) and 0.2 (0.0-0.4%), respectively. Total distribution in gender showed no difference (P = 0.102).
CONCLUSIONS: In the youngest age group (2-6 years), types 1 and 2 (deformities of anterior septal segments) were exclusively found, whereas types 5 and 6 were found in older age groups (become visible during and after the puberty). Types 1 and 2 are characteristic septal deformities for small children. Since, septal deformities can affect the growth and development of the maxilla and vice versa, the authors recommend examination of the nasal septum by an rhinologist who will be a part of a team performing the regular systematic health examination of children.