Adenoids in Children

​​​The adenoids are patches of tissue that sit at the very back of the nasal passage/top of the throat. Some parents may confuse the adenoids with the tonsils, which are visible at the back of the throat. However, the adenoids aren't directly visible in a routine nose or throat exam. Like tonsils, the adenoids do important work for babies and young children, as the adenoids are one of the first lines of defense when harmful bacteria and viruses are inhaled or swallowed.

As your child ages, the adenoids lose significance as the body learns how to fight infection. Adenoids begin to shrink in childhood. They continue to decrease in size into teen/adult years. Adenoids do not typically grow back, although that is not always the case.

​Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids

Because they are on the front line of a body's defenses, it's possible that the adenoids may swell temporarily as they fight off infections. Multiple infections, allergies and other factors may cause chronic enlargement. When adenoids become enlarged, your child may experience:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose.
• Bad breath and dry lips from breathing through the mouth.
• Sounding as if the nose is pinched or stuffed.
• Frequent sinus symptoms.
• Snoring.
• Restless sleep or disruptive sleep apnea.
• Ongoing middle ear infections or fluid build-up in school age.

If your doctor suspects enlarged adenoids, he or she may perform a basic physical examination of the nose, throat, ears and feeling the neck along the jaw in order to diagnose. He or she may also use an x-ray or an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a light on one end.

Treatment of Enlarged Adenoids

If your child has minimal symptoms, no treatment is typically needed. Your doctor may recommend a nasal spray to help reduce swelling and potentially an antibiotic if the infection is bacterial. Another treatment for more severe cases is an adenoidectomy.

Adenoidectomy in Children

Adenoidectomy is the removal of the adenoids via surgery through the open mouth, with your child under general anesthesia for around 30 minutes. It is an outpatient procedure that is may be done at the same time as a tonsillectomy. Your doctor may want to perform an adenoidectomy if your child:

• Has multiple episodes of adenoid infection and subsequent middle ear infections or fluid build-up in the ear.
• Shows no improvement of bacterial infection while taking an antibiotic.
• Suffers from airway blockage.
• Develops obstructive sleep apnea.
• Has recurrent episodes of sinusitis.

Adenoidectomy recovery for your child may involve several days of mild to moderate pain and discomfort, a runny nose and bad breath. Keep your child well-hydrated with bland, non-carbonated drinks like apple juice and broth, and make sure he or she follows diet as instructed by your surgeon.​