Nasal Polyps in Children: The Early Origins of a Challenging Adulthood Condition
Maria E. Di Cicco,
Francesca Bizzoco,
Elena Morelli,
Veronica Seccia,
Vincenzo Ragazzo,
Diego G. Peroni,
Pasquale Comberiati
Affiliations
Maria E. Di Cicco
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Francesca Bizzoco
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Elena Morelli
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Veronica Seccia
Otolaryngology, Audiology, and Phoniatric Operative Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology, and Critical Care Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Via Trivella, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Vincenzo Ragazzo
Paediatrics and Neonatology Division, Women’s and Children’s Health Department, Versilia Hospital, Via Aurelia n. 335, 55049 Lido di Camaiore, Italy
Diego G. Peroni
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Pasquale Comberiati
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Nasal polyps (NPs) are benign inflammatory masses causing chronic nasal obstruction, usually associated with underlying chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), which are rarely reported in childhood. The interest in NPs has recently increased due to new therapeutic options, namely biological agents, such as dupilumab, and an update of the European position paper on this topic was released in 2020, providing a detailed classification for these lesions and also discussing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches also in children. In childhood, NPs usually represent red flags for systemic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and immunodeficiencies. This review outlines the recent data on NPs in childhood, focusing on predisposing factors for CRS as well as on the potential endotypes in this particular age group, for which further studies are required in order to better clarify their pathogenesis and to identify molecular biomarkers that could help achieve more personalized treatments.
