Pediatric deviated septum

What is a pediatric deviated septum?

The septum is the thin piece of cartilage that separates the two passages in the nasal cavity. If your child has a deviated septum, it means that this cartilage is positioned to one side or the other, as opposed to in the middle. This off-center positioning means that the inside of one nostril is much smaller than the other.

Many children are born with a septum that is slightly off-center, however, when the deviation is more pronounced, it can cause breathing problems and chronic nasal discharge.

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric deviated septum?

• Chronic nasal discharge

• Chronic nosebleeds

• Chronic stuffy nose, especially on one side

• Difficulty breathing through the nose

• Frequent sinus infections

• Noisy breathing during sleep

What are the causes of a pediatric deviated septum?

In most children, a deviated septum is a congenital anomaly - meaning they are born with it. In some children, a deviated septum may be caused by an injury or a previous surgery for another condition.