Clinical Aspects and Management of Children in Otorhinolaryngological Consultation: Case of University Clinics of Lubumbashi (DR Congo)

Abstract

Introduction: Otorhinolaryngological pathologies in children are a problem in sub-Saharan Africa because they are frequent and complex, yet poorly described, and their management poses a real challenge. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and therapeutic characteristics, as well as to establish a diagnostic and topographic grouping of the main ENT diseases in children attending the ENT department of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi (DR Congo). Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted over a period of 2 years, from January 2014 to December 2015, 309 cases of children under 19 years of age were recorded. Results: An overall consultation frequency of 19.05% was noted. The mean age was 7.08 ± 5.37 years and 48.8% of cases were less than 5 years old. 1.9% of cases were referred; 58.3% of cases received initial self-medication before consulting. In the hospital, antibiotic treatment was prescribed in 67.2% of cases, anti-inflammatory in 62.8% of cases and surgery was necessary for 2% of cases. Otitis was the most common (37.7%), followed by tonsillitis (20.7%) and cerumen impaction (20.7%). Otologic complaints dominated with 67.7%; Otalgia and otorrhea were the most common complaints. In the field of rhinology, rhinorrhea and nasal encryption were predominant, while odynophagia and cough dominated complaints in laryngopharyngology and appendices. Conclusion: ENT pathologies in children are frequent and dominated by infectious pathology. Their management is often simple and their evolution generally favorable.

Pediatristler Neden Bir Kulak Burun Boğaz Uzmanına Danışır: 3774 Hastanın Analizi

“…In our study, the majority of the consultations (66.5%) were requested for the children in the early and middle childhood. Our result is in agreement with Sandra et al (6), who reported that 53.4% of 309 pediatric consultations were requested for the children between the 3 and 12 years of age.…”

“…The majority (71.4%) of the consulted children were outpatients in our study. In contrast, Sandra et al (6) reported that only 1.94% of their pediatric consultation cases were referred. In fact, outpatient consultations have been increasing in our hospital in the recent years, probably due to medicolegal considerations.…”

“…In our study, the most frequent cause for pediatric outpatient consultations were hearing and/or speech evaluation, sleep disorders and infection, in rank order (Table 2). Sandra et al (6) reported the most common causes of outpatient pediatric consultations as infectious causes, including otitis and tonsillitis. Hearing and/or speech problems were not mentioned as the cause of pediatric outpatient consultations in that study (6).…”

“…Sandra et al (6) reported the most common causes of outpatient pediatric consultations as infectious causes, including otitis and tonsillitis. Hearing and/or speech problems were not mentioned as the cause of pediatric outpatient consultations in that study (6). It seems that pediatricians treat most of the childhood infections in our hospital, and only refer the children with complicated head and neck infections to otorhinolaryngology.…”