A pediatric deviated septum happens when the cartilage that separates the nasal passages is positioned to one side or the other of the midline of the nose.
Overview
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.
Signs and Symptoms
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
Causes
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.
