Predictors of bleeding disorders in children with epistaxis: Value of preoperative tests and clinical screening

ObjectiveTo identify prevalence of previously undiagnosed bleeding disorders in children with severe epistaxis who failed medical therapy requiring intraoperative nasal cautery.Study designRetrospective chart review 10/15/2006–12/31/2010.SettingSingle provider outpatient otolaryngology clinic.Subjects and methodsInclusion criteria: children (<19 years) with epistaxis referred to otolaryngology, no known bleeding disorder, failed medical therapy and received surgical nasal cautery. Data collected: duration/severity of epistaxis, bleeding history, family history of bleeding. A screening CBC, PT and PTT were performed on all patients.ResultsOf 248 subjects referred for epistaxis, 47(19%) met inclusion criteria (mean age 9.2 ± 0.5 years; 61.7% male). 31.9% (15/47) had abnormal coagulation studies but on repeat testing only 2 patients had persistent coagulation abnormalities. 15 patients were referred to hematology, 5 were diagnosed with a bleeding disorder (3 – type 1 von Willebrand's disease, 1 – platelet aggregation disorder, 1 – mild factor VII deficiency). Out of the entire cohort 10.6% (5/47) had a bleeding diathesis. Clinical predictive factors for having a bleeding diathesis were explored and included previous emergency room visits for epistaxis (p = 0.04). A trend was found in those presenting with epistaxis at a younger age (p = 0.07).ConclusionChildren with recurrent epistaxis despite medical therapy are at higher risk of having a bleeding disorder. In this highly selected group of patients 10.6% (5/47) were found to have a bleeding disorder. Screening coagulation studies (PT, PTT) only revealed 20% (1/5) of patients with a bleeding disorder. Only a subsequent comprehensive hematology evaluation revealed the diagnosis in the majority of patients.