What are the symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy in children?

Written by Lian Wen Xi
Pediatrics
Updated on May 10, 2025
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Children's adenoid hypertrophy has a variety of symptoms, mainly including the following aspects. First: It may lead to nasal congestion, accompanied by runny nose and nasal speech due to obstructive nasal sounds and other clinical manifestations. Second: It may cause the child to develop secretory otitis media or purulent otitis media, resulting in ear pain and hearing loss among other clinical manifestations. Third: Due to the long-term hypertrophy of adenoid tissue affecting ventilation, it may cause children to breathe through the mouth. Prolonged mouth breathing may result in a condition known as adenoid facies. Fourth: Some systemic symptoms may occur, such as slowed growth and development, cognitive impairments, irritability, drowsiness, teeth grinding, easy awakening, lack of concentration, and bedwetting among other symptoms.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Conservative treatment methods for adenoid hypertrophy

Adenoid hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of glandular tissue located in the nasopharynx, which blocks the nasal cavity or obstructs the pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube, leading to otitis media. Patients may experience symptoms such as snoring during sleep. Conservative treatment for adenoid hypertrophy mainly refers to medication therapy for enlarged glands. Medications such as mometasone furoate and montelukast sodium can be used, as well as inhalation therapy with medicated mists. Inhalation therapy primarily involves nasal cavity inhalation, such as using sprays. Overall, the efficacy of conservative treatment for adenoid hypertrophy is relatively poor. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the condition comprehensively and consider timely surgical treatment if necessary.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can you eat eggs with enlarged adenoids?

Patients with adenoid hypertrophy can eat eggs. Adenoid hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otorhinolaryngology, primarily occurring in infants and young children, especially those aged 5-7 years. Due to the significant proliferation of lymphatic tissue, it can cause an enlargement of the lymphatic tissue on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, thereby blocking the posterior nasal passages. This leads to symptoms such as snoring, breath-holding, sleep apnea, and hypoxia during nighttime in patients. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, after confirmation through exams such as electronic nasopharyngoscopy and lateral nasopharyngeal radiography, surgery is usually required to remove the enlarged adenoid tissue. In some cases, the removal of the tonsils is also necessary in order to restore ventilation in the nasopharynx and oral cavity, improving symptoms like nighttime snoring and breath-holding in patients.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Do adenoids cause coughing?

Children with adenoid hypertrophy may exhibit symptoms of coughing. The reason for the aforementioned symptoms primarily stems from excessive growth and enlargement of adenoid tissues, resulting in obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. This causes chronic sinusitis in children and postnasal drip, leading to reflex cough. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, it is crucial to first conduct thorough examinations such as paranasal sinus CT and electronic nasopharyngoscopy to definitively diagnose the patient's condition, enabling early detection and timely surgical treatment. This involves removing the enlarged adenoid tissues to restore normal nasal ventilation and overall physical condition. Additionally, relevant examinations should be promptly completed before and during surgery to rule out surgical contraindications. After surgery, it is advisable to avoid hot baths, foot baths, and strenuous exercise to prevent postoperative bleeding from the surgical site.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is adenoid hypertrophy more severe in winter?

Adenoid hypertrophy tends to be more severe in the winter due to the weather changes which can lead to significant adenoid hyperplasia. Adenoid hypertrophy is generally more common in children aged three to eight. It is caused by repeated stimulation from acute inflammation, leading to congestion, edema, and growth of the adenoids. This condition can cause patients to experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, and episodes of breath-holding. Additionally, patients may also experience tinnitus, hearing loss, and other related symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed through an electronic nasopharyngoscope and adenoid CT scans. For treatment, patients can initially opt for conservative treatments such as oral antibiotics. Additionally, localized nebulizer inhalation can be used to reduce congestion and swelling of the adenoids. If conservative treatments are ineffective, adenoidectomy may be necessary for recovery. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?

Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)