Patient's question:
The child is now over three years old and snores while sleeping, has nasal obstruction during speech, and has unclear pronunciation. The hospital examination said it is due to hypertrophy of the adenoids. I would like to ask what symptoms can be caused by hypertrophy of the adenoids?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 correct drug treatment and etiological treatment.)1. Adenoid Facies: Adenoid hypertrophy can push the maxilla outward, leading 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 dental alignment, exposed upper incisors, upturned nose (upturned nose), poorly developed nasal wings, widened eye fissures, and a dull or expressionless facial expression (e.g., appearing vacant when mouth breathing). In severe cases, there may be signs 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 develop into bacterial otitis media.
5. Tonsillar Hypertrophy: 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 hypertrophied.
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, it can result in declining academic performance, a dull facial expression, and slow responses.
7. Malnutrition: Mouth breathing disrupts the coordination between swallowing and breathing, causing slow eating (though some children may eat quickly), poor digestion due to hypoxia, bad breath, loss of appetite, and malnutrition.
Although adenoid hypertrophy has many risks 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.