Medline Adana Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Semih Demirkıran said, “The adenoid, which grows and contains a large amount of germs, can bring problems such as irritability and loss of appetite in children, as well as preparing the ground for recurrent ear and sinus infections due to its close neighborhood.”
In his statement, Demirkıran said, “Problems related to the upper respiratory tract are among the most common diseases in the society, especially in childhood. One of the most common problems related to this issue is the problems seen in the adenoid. In cases where treatment with medication is inadequate, the adenoid must be removed. The adenoid, which grows and contains a large amount of microbes, can cause recurrent ear and sinus infections due to its close neighborhood, as well as problems such as irritability and loss of appetite in children. If neglected, it can even lead to developmental delay.”
It is common in childhood
Demirkıran said, “Adenoid, or adenoid as it is called in medical language, is defined as a congenital lymph tissue in the back of the nose and, like tonsils, it takes part in the defense against microbes entering the body through respiration. Its growth is considered normal in acute upper respiratory tract infections. However, it becomes a problem when it does not shrink after recurrent infections. So much so that it can sometimes reach almost the size of a ping-pong ball and even block the back exit door of the nose, which is the nasal area.”
Parents should follow carefully
Demirkıran continued as follows:
“Sometimes parents say that their children have a different tone of voice because they speak nasal, have no appetite, sweat at night and snore. Sometimes they also say that they are drooling. Adenoid reaches its largest anatomical size when the child is between the ages of 3 and 5 and usually begins to shrink after the age of 7. It disappears in adolescence. At this point, parents have very important duties. Because parents are sometimes worried about the removal of adenoids and sometimes do not dwell on it because 'It will shrink in the future anyway', this situation may lead to the growth of the problem and the development of many chronic diseases in later ages.”
It opens the door to problems
Stating that untreated adenoid can lead to upper respiratory tract infection attacks, sinusitis, nasal discharge, cough, sleep disorders, snoring, sleeping with open mouth, ear infections, hearing loss due to fluid accumulation in the ear and even hearing loss, Demirkıran said, “There is no need for any treatment in children with adenoid symptoms. Nasal spray containing steroid is recommended by the doctor to reduce adenoid swelling. If the infection is bacterial, antibiotics are used. However, if the complaints are intense, persist despite medication and recur continuously, the adenoid should be removed surgically. Although surgery is generally preferred after the age of 2, it can also be considered after the age of 1 if breathing obstruction is intense. Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia and through the mouth, there is no need for any incision in the neck. The operation takes about half an hour and the patient is usually discharged and sent home on the same day.”
Demirkıran listed the symptoms of adenoid in children as follows:
“Difficulty in nasal breathing, sleeping with open mouth, night sweating, snoring, nasal speech as if the nose is blocked, nasal and nasal discharge, breath holding during sleep and bad breath.”
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