Snoring and Adenoid Enlargement in Children: When is Intervention Needed?
Does your child sleep with their mouth open at night, snore, and occasionally stop breathing during sleep and suddenly wake up? These symptoms are commonly seen in children aged 3-7 years, and the underlying cause is often adenoid enlargement. Adenoid problems can negatively affect not only sleep quality but also the child’s development, hearing, and dental-palatal structure.
What are Adenoids?
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located in the back of the nasal cavity, in the nasopharyngeal region. Like tonsils, they are responsible for protecting the body against infections. However, in some children, this tissue becomes excessively enlarged, causing both nasal congestion and many other problems.
What Happens When Adenoids Enlarge?
When adenoids enlarge, they block the posterior nasal passages, making it difficult for the child to breathe through the nose. This leads to various symptoms:
- Constant mouth breathing
- Nighttime snoring
- Sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea)
- Restless sleep and frequent awakening
- Head sweating
- Frequent upper respiratory tract infections
- Middle ear effusion and hearing loss
- Daytime fatigue, attention deficit
- Impaired palate and dental development
- Increased susceptibility to dental caries
In children who sleep with their mouth open, orthodontic problems such as upper palatal narrowing and mandibular developmental delay may develop. Additionally, early-onset dental caries are common due to tooth surfaces that are not naturally cleaned by saliva.
How is Diagnosis Made?
The most accurate method for evaluating adenoid enlargement is endoscopic nasopharyngeal examination. During this procedure, a thin, flexible endoscope is inserted through the nose to directly visualize the nasopharyngeal region.
🔍 Is X-ray Necessary?
No, it is not preferred as the first diagnostic tool. Endoscopic examination is a radiation-free, reliable method for detecting adenoids. Endoscopic examination is possible in most children. In some children who cannot cooperate with the examination, if there is clinical suspicion, adenoids can be evaluated with X-ray films.
Treatment: When is Adenoidectomy Necessary?
If adenoids significantly obstruct the posterior nasal passages and cause the above-mentioned complaints, surgical intervention, namely adenoidectomy, may be necessary. Especially apnea with episodes of breathlessness and awakening accelerates the surgical decision.
✅ Endoscopic-Guided Surgery Preference
Today, adenoid surgeries are performed much more controllably and safely under endoscopic guidance. This ensures complete removal of the tissue while protecting surrounding tissues.
Adenoidectomy is a short-duration procedure performed under general anesthesia. Children are usually discharged the same day and quickly return to their daily lives.
What Improves with Adenoidectomy?
- Sleep quality improves
- Snoring and sleep apnea resolve
- Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections decrease
- Middle ear effusion and hearing loss improve
- Palate and dental development normalizes
- The child becomes more energetic, attentive, and healthy
Frequently Asked Questions
📌 Do adenoids grow back?
It is rare. If adenoids have to be removed before age 2, there may be a possibility of regrowth in later years. However, this situation is not very common.
📌 Do tonsils enlarge after adenoid removal?
It is rarely seen. Due to the balance of the body’s defense system, there may be some enlargement in the tonsils after adenoid removal. However, this usually does not require surgery.
📌 Is an X-ray film necessary for adenoids?
No. In current medical practice, endoscopic examination is the first choice.
When Should You Consult an ENT Specialist?
If the following symptoms are present, your child should definitely undergo an ENT examination:
- Nighttime snoring
- Sleeping with mouth open
- Sleep apnea
- Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections
- Hearing problems or ear infections
- Nasal congestion
- Palatal developmental disorders noticed by the dentist
Conclusion: Take Snoring Seriously
Your child’s snoring, sleeping with mouth open at night, or restlessness during sleep is not a simple habit, but may be a sign of a serious underlying adenoid problem. With a timely ENT examination, a correct diagnosis can be made and your child’s quality of life can be improved with appropriate treatment.
