PAEDIATRIC OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICAL PRESENTATION OF HALITOSIS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

ADEGBIJI, AW and OLAJIDE, TG and OLUSOLA, AG and OLATOKE, F and NWAWOLO, CC (2017) PAEDIATRIC OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICAL PRESENTATION OF HALITOSIS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY. JOURNAL OF THE WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, 7 (4). pp. 1-18.

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Abstract

Background: Halitosis is a common medico social symptom among children. Aim: To determine the clinical, epidemiological patterns, aetiology and psycho-social issues of halitosis among children in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: This was a prospective hospital based study of children with complaints of halitosis. The study was carried out in Ear, Nose & throat Department, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti over a period of two years, (October 2015 to September 2017). Consent was obtained from the parents/guardian. Data was obtained by using pretested interviewer assisted questionnaire. All the data obtained were collated and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of the institution. Results: The prevalence of halitosis in this study was 6.8% and there were 58.5% males and 41.5% females with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Their age ranged from 1 year – 18 years with a mean of 9.48 ± 5.84 SD years. Sources of referral for the otorhinolaryngology, head and neck care were mainly from general practitioners (52.3%) and from pediatricians (24.6%). Halitosis was noticed by family members in 50.8% and from family friends in 23.1%. Nasal and throat diseases in 49.2% and 29.2% respectively were the commonest otorhinolaryngology, head and neck disorders that were responsible for halitosis. The major causes were rhinosinusitis in 24.6%, impacted nasal foreign body in 23.1% and adenotonsillar hypertrophy in 18.5%. Associated disabilities in children and family with halitosis include social withdrawal in 35.4%, low social interaction in 32.3% and depression in 29.2%. Acute halitosis (<3/12) accounted for 50.8% while chronic halitosis (>3/12) accounted for 49.2%. In all, fifty four (83.1%) of the patients were successfully treated. Conclusion: Bad breath is a common ear, nose and throat symptom in children it is commonly due to nasal and pharyngeal diseases which are amenable to treatment.

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