Epistaxis in healthy children requiring hospital admission.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the outcomes for healthy children who require admission to hospital with acute epistaxis.


METHODS
A 10-year retrospective review of admissions with acute epistaxis under the Otolaryngology Department in a tertiary pediatric centre was performed.


RESULTS
There were 14 cases (11 males, 3 females), with mean age 7.8 years (1.9-18.3 years). Three patients had a history of recent aspirin ingestion, and one had sustained nasal trauma. Mean hemoglobin at presentation was 105g/L (75-150), and no patient was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. Four patients underwent surgical intervention, and one patient received a blood transfusion or blood product. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.6 days (2-14 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute epistaxis in healthy children that requires hospital admission is generally not a marker for an underlying bleeding disorder. It is associated with a short inpatient stay, and usually requires minimal intervention.
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
N J
NJ
Brown
R G
RG
Berkowitz
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000293:injuries; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin