The tonsils swell and recur many times, narrowing the throat cavity, blocking the airway, causing the child to snore, posing a risk of complications.
On June 20, M.D. Diep Phuc Anh, Ear, Nose and Throat Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that children snore due to many reasons such as deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, and rhinosinusitis. , but mainly due to tonsillitis and excessive adenoiditis.
Excessive tonsillitis is a condition in which the tonsils swell and recur many times, compressing the throat, causing airway obstruction. At this time, children have to breathe through their mouths when sleeping, causing snoring. If not treated promptly, there is a high risk of sleep apnea. Children snore frequently, which affects the amount of oxygen they receive while sleeping. This is linked to impaired brain development, cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, and negative impacts on physical and mental health.
Every month, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City receives nearly 100 children under 7 years old who snore due to tonsillitis and adenoiditis (lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx) that their families do not know about.
Nhu Hieu, 5 years old, has been snoring for more than two years. Her parents thought it was genetic from her grandfather and did not take her to the doctor. The baby often has fever, sometimes has difficulty breathing, and breathes mainly through the mouth. The doctor diagnosed tonsillitis and adenoiditis and treated it medically.
In the last two months, the baby snored more loudly than before, was tired when waking up, had recurrent tonsillitis, and had a high fever. He went to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for examination. ENT endoscopy results showed swollen tonsils and white pus, and cloudy mucus rhinitis.
Doctor Phuc Anh said the patient had stage 3 tonsillitis, hyperemia, and severe adenoiditis. The baby’s tonsils are swollen and cause airway obstruction, causing the baby to breathe through the mouth when sleeping, causing snoring sounds. Pediatric patients breathe through their mouths, creating conditions for bacteria and viruses to attack, causing tonsillitis to recur frequently (more than 5 times a year).
Similarly, Vu, 6 years old, had a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius, swollen, red tonsils, pus secretion, loss of appetite, snoring, and went to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for examination. Endoscopy and test results showed that the patient had severe tonsillitis and severe adenoiditis.
Two pediatric patients received medical treatment but did not improve and were prescribed tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery. Doctor Phuc Anh explained that at this time, the two babies’ tonsils no longer have immune function and can become a source of infection. If not treated promptly, it can cause complications such as respiratory tract infection, arthritis, glomerulonephritis…
Doctor Phuc Anh performed a tonsillectomy on a pediatric patient. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
Hieu and Vu had tonsillectomy surgery using Coblator plasma technology and endoscopic adenoid curettage. This method completely eliminates inflammation, does not damage surrounding tissues, stops bleeding locally, and helps reduce blood loss. Surgery time is about 30-45 minutes, the patient is discharged from the hospital within 24 hours, according to doctor Phuc Anh. After two weeks of follow-up examination, the two patients no longer snored, their respiratory infections improved, and their healing ability was good.
Doctors prescribe tonsillectomy in cases where tonsillitis causes airway obstruction and recurs frequently. Normally, children aged 4 years and older can have their tonsils removed because at this time the immune system responds relatively well to surgery.
Doctor Phuc Anh recommends that parents when they see their child snoring for more than two weeks, panting or having difficulty breathing while sleeping, fever, dryness, sore throat, or poor appetite, should take their child to the doctor. The ENT doctor will perform an endoscopy, evaluate the condition, and then provide timely treatment.
To prevent upper respiratory tract infections in general and tonsillitis in children in particular, adults should clean their children’s teeth with physiological saline every day. Let children drink enough water, limit exposure to smoke and dust, wear a mask when going out, and supplement nutrients to help children increase their resistance. In winter, you need to keep your child’s nose and throat area warm.