Enlarged Adenoids Children: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment in Kids

Causes of Enlarged Adenoids in Toddlers

Adenoids are glands that look like tonsils, and they are found at the back of the nose. The main function of adenoids is to fight off infection and trap bacteria that enter through the nose. A child is naturally born with small adenoids, and they grow larger as the child grows bigger. By the age of 10 to 12, the adenoids reach their full maximum size and stop growing and shrink on its own.

However, when the adenoids continue to grow or refuse to shrink, the child would start to experience having medical problems.

Medically, these enlarged adenoids are called hypertrophied. Bacterial and chronic infections can also result to enlarged adenoids in children.

Signs and Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids

 

There are several symptoms of enlarged adenoids in children. Some of them include but are not limited to the following:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Unusual and increased snoring
  • Sleep disorders such as apnea
  • Mouth breathing
  • Hearing loss
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Nose bleeding
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite due to pain and breathing difficulties
  • Unusual feeling of tiredness due to lack of sleep

Enlarged Adenoids Treatment in Kids

Unfortunately, there is no other way to treat enlarged adenoids in children but through surgical procedure.  It is important for the parent to be keen when their child is showing some symptoms of enlarged adenoids in children.

The child must be brought to a pediatrician immediately for proper evaluation and diagnosis. The decision for the child to undergo surgical removal of enlarged adenoid should come from the parents upon the recommendation of medical experts. Usually a child is closely monitored by a pediatrician or an eye, ear, and nose expert prior to the recommendation of surgical procedure.