ABSTRACT
Blocked nose in babies is common due to presence of mucus in a narrowed nasal passage. It is loud during feeding and sleep and disappears when the baby reaches 4–5 months; reassurance is the best medicine. Nasal discharge and blockage are extremely common in children. Breathing difficulty in neonates and young infants may be caused by nasal obstruction as a result of partial or complete choanal atresia. Nasal discharge/blockage impacts negatively on a child's quality of life by interfering with sleep, daytime activities and school performance. Nasal discharge/blockage may also exert effects on the sinuses, throat and voice that manifest as impaired hearing, worsening asthma and problematic snoring. The nasal mucosa of the nasal septum has a rich vascular supply arising from convergence of both internal and external carotid arteries. Juvenile nasal angiofibroma is a benign tumour of the nasopharynx that usually presents with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. The tumour may be mistaken as a nasal polyp.
