Nosebleeds (Epistaxis)
Basics
Description
- Epistaxis: bleeding from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx
- Classified as either anterior or posterior
- Anterior epistaxis is from the anterior nasal septum, usually is venous from an area known as Kiesselbach plexus.
- Posterior epistaxis occurs through the nasopharynx typically arising from the sphenopalatine artery.
Epidemiology
- At least 75% of children will experience at least one episode of epistaxis, commonly occurs between the ages of 3 and 8 years.
- Rarely seen in children <2 years
- Up to 9% of children may have recurrent epistaxis, but the majority grows out of it.
- Anterior epistaxis more common in children
- Occurs more frequently in the cold winter months when there is low humidity and when upper respiratory tract infections are more frequent
- Dry air from indoor heating likely increases the incidence during winter months.
Risk Factors
- Mucosal dryness (also known as rhinitis sicca) is a frequent precursor to episodes of epistaxis as are upper respiratory tract infections.
- Children with allergic rhinitis are more prone to epistaxis because the nasal mucosa is more friable and inflamed.
- Children with recurrent epistaxis are more likely to have nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.
General Prevention
- Keeping nasal passages moist with the use of humidifiers, saline nasal sprays and emollients (e.g., Vaseline®) help reduce mucosal irritation, dryness and thus friability.
- Ensure fingernails are short and nasal trauma (i.e., nose picking, foreign body) is discouraged.
- Use appropriate protective athletic equipment to avoid trauma.
Pathophysiology
- Blood supply to the nasal cavity contains multiple anastomoses that originate from both the internal and external carotid arteries.
- Kiesselbach plexus is located under a thin mucosal lining in the anteroinferior aspect of the nasal septum and is the most common site of bleeding in children.
- The thin mucosal surface of the nasal septum and the lateral nasal walls are fragile and thus prone to inflammation, drying, and excoriation.
Etiology
- Most episodes of epistaxis in the younger age group are due to digital trauma as well as local inflammation:
- Upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, nasal vestibulitis, colonization of nasal cavity with S. aureus.
- Digital trauma, facial trauma, foreign body insertion, inhalants/irritants (intranasal corticosteroids, cocaine, heroin)
- <2 years, must consider trauma (nonaccidental or accidental) or a serious systemic disease (leukemia)
- In the pediatric population, epistaxis is less likely a sign of systemic illness:
- Acquired or congenital bleeding disorders: von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hematologic malignancies
- Coagulopathy secondary to systemic infection, hepatic disease, renal failure, antiplatelet agents (i.e., aspirin), NSAID use
- Local structural/vascular abnormalities
- Septal deviation, rhinitis sicca, spurs, nasal polyps
- Telangiectasias (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia [HHT])
- Nasal neoplasms: juvenile angiofibroma (consider in adolescent boys), papillomas, hemangiomas
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Frequently associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, digital trauma
- >90% of children with epistaxis do not have an underlying systemic cause.
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Citation
Cabana, Michael D., editor. "Nosebleeds (Epistaxis)." 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 8th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2019. Pediatrics Central, peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617084/all/Nosebleeds__Epistaxis_.
Nosebleeds (Epistaxis). In: Cabana MDM, ed. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617084/all/Nosebleeds__Epistaxis_. Accessed October 6, 2024.
Nosebleeds (Epistaxis). (2019). In Cabana, M. D. (Ed.), 5-Minute Pediatric Consult (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617084/all/Nosebleeds__Epistaxis_
Nosebleeds (Epistaxis) [Internet]. In: Cabana MDM, editors. 5-Minute Pediatric Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. [cited 2024 October 06]. Available from: https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617084/all/Nosebleeds__Epistaxis_.
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