All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Adenoiditis in children
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Adenoiditis in children is a fairly common disease of childhood. Children have a tendency to hypertrophy of the tonsils of the pharynx, especially the nasopharyngeal tonsils, the so-called adenoids. From 5 to 25% of children under 14 have hypertrophy of adenoid tissue. During puberty, adenoids usually atrophy.
[ What causes adenoiditis in children?
Acute adenoiditis in children is caused by streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, and viruses. Peculiarities of children's immunological reactivity and repeated acute inflammation of the adenoids predispose to the development of chronic adenoiditis.
In children with allergic diathesis, exogenous non-infectious allergens (food, household) play a major role in the development of adenoid tissue hypertrophy and chronic adenoiditis.
Symptoms of adenoiditis in children
Acute adenoiditis in children is essentially a retronasal sore throat and has all the clinical signs of acute infectious inflammation: increased body temperature, nasal congestion, ear pain, paroxysmal cough at night, enlargement and soreness of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes.
Clinical symptoms of chronic adenoiditis in children are due to the fact that enlarged adenoids complicate or completely exclude nasal breathing, ventilation of the auditory tubes, and disrupt the function of the pharynx, which has an extremely unfavorable effect on the overall development of the child. Congestion occurs in the nose and paranasal sinuses, leading to swelling and chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, accumulation of thick viscous mucus.
The flow of mucopurulent discharge into the larynx, dryness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and larynx due to breathing through the mouth causes a persistent reflex cough, especially at night. Children sleep with an open mouth, often accompanied by snoring. In the morning, children get up lethargic, apathetic, with a headache. Phonation is impaired, the voice loses its sonority, takes on a muffled tone - closed nasal. By closing the openings of the auditory tubes, enlarged adenoids sometimes lead to a significant decrease in hearing, recurrent otitis and sinusitis. This causes absent-mindedness and inattention of the child, delayed speech development, difficulties in learning at school.
Long-term adenoiditis in children leads to the formation of an adenoid face, open mouth, smoothed nasolabial folds, thickened wings of the nose, wedge-shaped upper jaw, incorrect placement of teeth due to a narrow alveolar process of the upper jaw, and an indifferent facial expression.
When breathing through the mouth, cold, de-humidified and insufficiently purified air enters the lower respiratory tract, which leads to frequent respiratory diseases.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnosis of adenoiditis in children
The diagnosis is based on the anamnesis, external examination of the child, and data from posterior or anterior rhinoscopy. The magnitude of adenoid hypertrophy is determined by three degrees.
If an allergic etiology of adenoiditis is suspected, an allergological examination is carried out.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment of adenoiditis in children
Acute adenoiditis in children is treated locally with vasoconstrictor drops, 1-2% protargol solution. Antibiotics are prescribed: amoxicillin, augmentin, ospen, macrolide drugs.
In case of chronic adenoiditis in children of infectious etiology, adenotomy is performed, the indications for which are determined by the degree of adenoid hypertrophy and the presence of complications of adenoiditis (recurrent otitis, hearing loss, sinusitis, etc.). Before the operation, a course of local conservative treatment and oral cavity sanitation is carried out.
In case of allergic etiology of adenoid tissue hypertrophy, adenotomy should be treated with caution, since removal of lymphoid tissue of the upper respiratory tract can lead to aggravation of the course of respiratory allergosis. Such adenoiditis in children is treated, starting with elimination measures, local therapy, including instillation of sodium cromoglycate into the nose, a course of basic therapy with second-generation antihistamines (ketotifen, zyrtec).
More information of the treatment