Sinuses (natural hallow cavities that are found in the front of the skull) in children are not fully developed. They are born with the Ethmoid and Maxillary sinuses only. Due to the order of growthof the sinuses, the Ethmoid and Maxillary sinuses get infected the most. The Sphenoid sinus (behind the eyes) only begins to grow at the age of two. The Frontal (forehead) sinuses are the last to develop, at about age four.

The immune system in children does not mature until the age of 20, therefore they are more prone to infections of the nose, sinuses and ears, especially in the first several years of life. The infections are mostly caused by viruses and are aggravated by Allergies.

When the yellow/green nasal drainage persists beyond the expected three to seven days, Bacterial Sinusitis is often the culprit.

Symptoms of Chronic Sinus Disease in children

• Cough
• Bad Breath
• Sore throat
• Headache or head pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Behavioral changes
• High fever (rare)
• Orbital swelling/complications (rare)
• A cold lasting more than 10 to 14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever
• Thick yellow-green nasal drainage
• Post-Nasal Drip, sometimes leading to or exhibited as sore throat, cough, Bad Breath, nausea and/or vomiting
• Headache, usually in children age six or older
• Irritability or fatigue
• Swelling around the eyes
• Chronic Sinusitis or recurring colds
• Allergies

How to reduce the risks of Chronic Sinus Diseases in children?

• Reducing exposure to known environmental allergies and pollutants such as tobacco smoke
• Reducing his/her time at day care
• Treating stomach acid reflux disease
• Reducing exposure to animals or dust and other allergic conditions such as asthma