Differential effect of meteorological factors and particulate matter with ≤ 10-µm diameter on epistaxis in younger and older children

Abstract

The differential effect of meteorological factors and air pollutants on pediatric epistaxis in younger and older children has not been evaluated. We evaluated the distribution of pediatric epistaxis cases between younger (0–5 years) and older children (6–18 years). Subsequently, we assessed and compared the effects of meteorological variables and the concentration of particulate matter measuring ≤ 10 μm in diameter (PM10) on hospital epistaxis presentation in younger and older children. This retrospective study included pediatric patients (n = 326) who presented with spontaneous epistaxis between January 2015 and August 2019. Meteorological conditions and PM10 concentration were the exposure variables, and data were obtained from Korea Meteorological Administration 75. The presence and cumulative number of epistaxis presentations per day were considered outcome variables. Air temperature, wind speed, sunshine duration, and PM10 concentration in younger children, and sunshine duration and air pressure in older children, significantly correlated with the presence of and cumulative number of epistaxis presentations per day. The PM10 concentration was not a significant factor in older children. Thus, meteorological factors and PM10 concentration may differentially affect epistaxis in younger (0–5-year-olds) and older (6–18-year-olds) children. Risk factors for pediatric epistaxis should be considered according to age.