Epistaxis in children: causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Epistaxis in children is a common disorder that is usually due to local irritation in Kiesselbach's area. The most common disorders underlying epistaxis are local inflammatory diseases, infections, and trauma. Other diagnoses, including sinus and nasopharyngeal abnormalities, must be considered systematically. Epistaxis also may be the initial sign of serious systemic illness. Most children can be treated effectively with simple pressure to the alae and septum. Refractory bleeds may require progressively more aggressive measures. Recurrences usually are prevented with medical management control of the local or systemic problem, but excessively frequent recurrences may require surgical correction.