Vasomotor Rhinitis in Patients Younger Than 18 Years
Managing vasomotor rhinitis in pediatric patients requires a careful, age-appropriate approach. Treatment selection depends on the child's age and the specific symptoms that are most affecting them.
This protocol applies to patients younger than 18 years presenting with vasomotor rhinitis. Because this is a pediatric population, treatment decisions must account for each child's age when determining which interventions are appropriate.
Preventive and nonpharmacologic approaches should be tried before beginning medication in children.
- Reduced rhinorrhea
- Improvement in congestion and nasal obstruction
- Reduced sneezing
When pharmacologic management becomes appropriate, intranasal agents are available for children who meet specific age thresholds. The choice of agent is matched to the child's predominant symptom. The full protocol details which agents apply at which ages, and for which symptom targets — see the structured regimen for the complete guidance.
References
- Preventive and nonpharmacologic approaches should be tried before beginning medication in children.
- Approved for use in patients six years and older, nasal anticholinergics such as ipratropium (Atrovent) often reduce rhinorrhea without the undesirable side effects of sedation and fatigue sometimes associated with oral antihistamine use.
- Certain nasal corticosteroids, such as mometasone furoate (Nasonex), are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children older than two years and improve the symptoms of congestion and nasal obstruction.
- Cromolyn sodium (Intal) can be used to manage symptoms of sneezing and congestion in children older than two years.