Patient's question:
The child is now over three years old, snoring while sleeping, and has nasal obstruction during speech, with unclear pronunciation. The hospital examination indicated that it is due to hypertrophy of the adenoid. I would like to ask what symptoms can be caused by hypertrophy of the adenoid?Doctor's answer:
Once a child is diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy, the cause should be identified promptly, and active non-surgical drug treatment and etiological treatment should be initiated to promote adenoid atrophy. Otherwise, the following complications may occur: (Surgical treatment is only suitable for severe children who have poor responses to proper drug treatment and etiological treatment.)1. Adenoid Facies: Due to adenoid hypertrophy pushing the maxilla outward, it can lead to an upturned upper lip, protruding upper teeth, malocclusion, thickened upper and lower lips (due to mouth breathing), malnourished upper teeth (turning yellow, black, or even decaying), irregular dentition, exposed upper incisors, upturned nose (upturned nose), poorly developed nasal wings, widened palpebral fissures, and a dull or expressionless facial expression (e.g., appearing vacant when opening the mouth). Severe cases may exhibit symptoms of intellectual disability.
2. Rhinitis or Sinusitis: Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, or postnasal drip (), nasal voice, or unclear speech.
3. Cough or Asthma: Postnasal drip is a primary symptom of adenoid hypertrophy. The dripping mucus can irritate the airway mucosa, causing a (allergic bronchitis), or even asthma attacks. Especially after adenoid surgery, many children are more prone to bronchitis, asthma, or pneumonia.
4. Otitis Media or Otitis Media with Effusion: Enlarged adenoids can compress the eustachian tube, blocking it and causing the eardrum to retracted or even leading to otitis media or otitis media with effusion. Adenoid hypertrophy-induced otitis media is often secretory otitis media, which is non-bacterial and can result in hearing loss and tinnitus. Over time, it may progress to bacterial otitis media.
5. Enlarged Tonsils: Due to nasal congestion, children may resort to mouth breathing, allowing airborne bacteria, viruses, or allergens to be inhaled through the mouth. The tonsils, as a defense mechanism, may become chronically enlarged.
6. Impaired Physical and Intellectual Development: Adenoid hypertrophy can cause hypoxic sleep, leading to delayed development, short stature, and memory decline. In young children, this may manifest as poor concentration or hyperactivity. Gradually, symptoms such as declining academic performance, dull facial expression, and slow reaction time may appear.
7. Malnutrition: Mouth breathing can disrupt the coordination between swallowing and breathing, causing slow eating (though some children may eat quickly). Hypoxia can also lead to digestive dysfunction, resulting in bad breath, poor appetite, and malnutrition.
Although adenoid hypertrophy has many harmful effects and complications, they can be completely avoided with proper treatment. Children who have already developed complications such as adenoid facies or delayed development can still correct these issues with appropriate treatment.