Compliance of Nasal Irrigation in Children with Allergic Rhinitis and Rhinosinusitis
Chareenee Sungkhanit MD*, Orapan Poachanukoon MD*, Prapasri Kulalert MD*, Dhave Setabutr MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand ** Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Cohen Children’s Hospital, Hofstra University School of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York, USA
Background : The compliance and tolerance of nasal saline irrigation (NSI) has not been studied in the Thai pediatric
population.
Objective : To determine the compliance of NSI in the children with allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis.
Material and Method: 60 evaluable children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and/or rhinosinusitis, aged 3 to 15 years, were
recruited from Thammasat University Hospital. The children were divided into 3 different age groups; (20/gp): age 3 to 5
years (y), 6 to 10 y and 11 to 15 y. At enrollment, the parent or guardians of children were interviewed via a questionnaire
(knowledge of NSI, opinions regarding compliance if NSI were prescribed and the technique of which NSI was taught).
Children were followed-up to month to assess NSI compliance. Patients with poor NSI compliance were reevaluated regard-
ing their NSI technique.
Results : Most parents thought NSI would improve their child’s disease: 90% for age group 3 to 5 y, 95% (6 to 10 y), and 80%
(11 to 15 y). Furthermore, most thought their child would tolerate NSI: 75% (3 to 5 y), 80% (6 to 10 y) and 100% (11 to 15
y). However, only 6 parents (30%) in age group 3 to 5 y thought that their child could have good compliance with NSI. At
follow-up, 65% of age group 3-5 y had good compliance. Patients in all age groups had good compliance for NSI, group 6
to 10 y (85%). Although those aged 6-10 y (85%) did so most successfully.
Conclusion : In this small study, children aged 3 to 15 y, most tolerate and complied well with NSI. NSI should more widely
prescribed as adjunctive therapy for pediatric patients with rhinitis and rhinosinusitis.
Keywords : Nasal saline irrigation, Allergic rhinitis, Pediatric rhinosinusitis
