Introduction:
Congenital anomalies are defined as structural or functional abnormalities that manifest during life in the womb. Also known as birth defects, or congenital malformations, these conditions may develop before birth and be detected before or during birth, or after birth. Congenital anomalies can be structural or developmental in nature. If they are structural, that means they are related to body parts. If they are developmental, it means that they affect the way the body functions and how a person expresses or senses. Some birth defects affect both structure and development.
What Are Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum?
Nasal development occurs between 4 and 10 weeks of gestation. Defective formation of the nasal septum during the intrauterine developmental period gives rise to congenital nasal septal defects. Congenital anomalies of the nose are categorized into the following:
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Aplastic or hypoplastic (underdevelopment of nose).
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Hyperplastic or duplications (excessive growth of nasal structures).
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Clefts.
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Nasal masses.
These conditions are explained briefly below:
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Arhinia: This is the absence of an external nose, nasal cavity, and olfactory system. This is extremely rare and evident at birth (both visually and from the fact that newborns invariably breathe through their noses).
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Choanal Atresia: A bony nasal septum between the nose and throat is the most common congenital anomaly of the nose.
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Polyrhinia: It is possible to have two normal-shaped noses, but it is very rare. Surgical correction removes the inner part of each nose and joins the outer halves.
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Clefts: It is formed due to improper fusion of the upper fixed bone of the jaw. This cleft extends into the nose and affects the nasal septum.
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Deviated Septum: The nasal septum deviates in one direction leading to obstruction and sometimes pain while breathing.
What Are the Causes of Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum?
The congenital defects of the nasal septum occur when the tissues of a baby's face and mouth do not fuse properly. Normally, the tissues that make up the lips and palate fuse during the second and third months of pregnancy. Researchers believe that most cases of congenital defects are caused by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In many babies, no clear cause is detected. A mother or father can each transmit the gene that causes genetic defects as part of a syndrome. In some cases, infants inherit genes that predispose them to develop congenital defects, and environmental triggers can also cause these defects.
Who Is at Risk of Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum?
Factors that make a child more likely to develop congenital defects of the nasal septum are listed below:
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Family History - Parents with a family history of congenital defects are at an increased risk of congenital conditions in their babies.
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Exposure to Environmental Toxins - Congenital defects are common among pregnant women who smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain medications.
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Diabetes - There is some evidence that women diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy are at increased risk of having babies with congenital defects.
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Obesity During Pregnancy - Babies born to obese women may be at increased risk of congenital defects.
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Gender - Men are more likely to have congenital conditions related to the nose.
What Are the Possible Complications of Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum?
Children with congenital conditions of the nasal septum have a variety of challenges depending on the type and severity of the defect:
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Difficulty Feeding - One of the most immediate concerns after birth is feeding. Babies with congenital nasal defects may find sucking difficult.
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Ear Infections and Hearing Loss - Babies with nasal septal defects are especially at risk of developing middle ear fluid and hearing loss.
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Dental Problems - Teeth in the upper jaw may be affected because of nasal deformities.
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Speech Difficulties - Because the palate is used to forming sounds, the development of normal speech can be affected by a cleft palate.
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Challenges of a Medical Condition - Children with nasal septal defects may face emotional, social, and behavioral issues due to differences in appearance and the stress of medical care.
How Are Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum Diagnosed?
Congenital defects of the nasal septum are evident at birth and sometimes in imaging scans before birth. A congenital defect may be first suspected during a routine ultrasound scan of the baby conducted while still in the womb. A special ultrasound called fetal echocardiography is done between 18 and 22 weeks gestation to confirm an accurate diagnosis.
How Are Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum Treated?
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Surgical Repair - A reconstruction surgery to correct the defect of the septum (septoplasty) may be considered. The degree of improvement that can be expected with surgery depends on the severity of the abnormality. Nasal reconstruction is done surgically to help improve the lives of the patient.
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Prosthetics - Nasal prosthesis is a non-surgical approach to nasal reconstruction and may be an interim or permanent solution when nasal surgical reconstruction is delayed.
How to Prevent Congenital Defects of the Nasal Septum?
After an infant is born with a congenital nasal defect, parents are worried about the possibility of another child being born with the same condition. Consider the following steps to mitigate:
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Genetic Counseling - The doctor may refer to a genetic counselor to help the person determine the risk of having a child with a congenital condition.
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Prenatal Vitamins - If planning on becoming pregnant soon, talk to the doctor about taking prenatal vitamins.
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Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol - Alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy elevates the risk of having a baby with birth defects.
Conclusion:
Nasal birth defects range from complete nasal absence to duplication. The development of the nose is the result of complex developmental patterns and the fusion of several primitive structures in the womb. Congenital defects are formed because of an aberration in the normal pattern of development. Nasal birth defects can occur with or without airway obstruction. Nasal congestion is commonly seen in newborns. Surgical reconstruction and prosthetic support are the most common treatment methods done to improve the outcome of these conditions.
