What is the best way to treat an enlarged adenoids in a 5-year-old child?

Question

Hi doctor,

What does it mean when adenoids are between 80 to 90 percent in a five-year-old child? Does it mean he needs surgery?

Answer 1

Hi,

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The X-ray (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) shows adenoid hypertrophy of 80 to 90 percent. The nasopharynx, means the enlarged adenoid occupies 80 to 90 percent anteroposterior distance of the nasopharyngeal airway. Suppose a child of one to seven years has loud snoring, sleep apnea, and difficulty breathing through the nose. In that case, it becomes an indication for surgical removal of the hypertrophied adenoid tissue, which will again open the nasopharyngeal airway leading to a dramatic reduction in snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Another indication for adenoid removal is recurrent ear infections of more than five episodes in a year or three or more episodes per year for two consecutive years.