Children have smaller sinus cavities than those in adults. The small sinus cavities are more vulnerable, because the cavities easily and quickly get blocked when the mucous membrane swells due to the infection of an upper respiratory tract (URT). Edema and inflammation of the membrane quickly obstruct the nasopharynx opening. As a result, bacteria grow, multiply and occupy the sinus cavities, causing sinus infection.

And, children who suffered from allergies in the past and have chronic headaches are more prone to sinusitis. The children hypersensitive to inhalant allergens experience inflammation of the mucus membrane and thereby are likely to suffer from bacterial rhinosinusitis. The sinus infection exacerbates asthma in children.   

Since the maxillary sinuses develop first among all four paranasal sinuses and exist at the time of birth, the sinuses are more susceptible to infections. The ethmoid sinuses are also present at birth but the sinuses do not attain the full size until fifteen (15) years of age. The sphenoid sinuses develop by the age of five (5). The frontal sinuses appear between fifth and sixth birthday and fully develop in early twenties.

Pediatric frontal sinusitis is therefore uncommon and the diagnosis is usually delayed and so the treatment. Diagnosing the sinusitis in children is also difficult because of other incomprehensible complaints and lack of disease-specific symptoms. The forehead of adolescents suffering from frontal sinusitis may ache. The pain may be focused behind the eyes.

The sinusitis in children may produce different signs and symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include bronchitis, cough, halitosis, persistent nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, otitis media, rhinorrhea and temperature over 101- degree Fahrenheit.

Some symptoms of sinusitis in children are unique, such as low-grade fever or chronic fever. Children may complain about headache everyday in the morning. The intensity of the headaches increases as the day progresses. Children may also have bad breath and tenderness in the sinus region. They may become irritable. Other symptoms include decline in smell sense, pain over sinuses, anorexia and sore throat.

Untreated sinus infections in children may cause complications, such as periorbital subperiosteal abscess, which is generally secondary to the ethmoid sinus disorder. So take care.