Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
Relationship between adenoid size and severity of obstructive sleep apnea in preschool children
Mitsuhiko Tagaya1, Seiichi Nakata, Fumihiko Yasuma
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan. mi-man@ra2.so-net.ne.jp
Insights
Adenoid hypertrophy significantly contributes to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in normal-weight preschool children, with its impact diminishing in older children. Upper airway differences are noted between younger and older children with OSAS.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects children, with varying etiological factors.
- Understanding the specific contributions of adenoid and tonsil size is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the role of adenoid and tonsil size in OSAS among normal-weight children.
- To compare these contributions across two age groups: preschool and schoolchildren.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 58 normal-weight children with OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 2).
- Categorized children into preschool (<6 years) and schoolchildren (≥ 6 years).
- Utilized polysomnography and regression analysis to assess adenoid/tonsil size and BMI contributions.
Main Results:
- Adenoid grade significantly correlated with the apnea index in preschool children (r=0.45, p<0.01).
- Adenoid hypertrophy was a significant predictor of OSAS severity in younger children.
- The influence of adenoid size decreased with age; tonsil size had minimal impact.
Conclusions:
- Adenoid hypertrophy is a primary driver of OSAS in normal-weight preschool children.
- Significant differences in upper airway morphology exist between younger and older children with OSAS.
Objective:
To investigate the contributions of adenoid and tonsil sizes to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in normal-weight children in two age categories: preschool and schoolchildren.
Methods:
Fifty-eight normal-weight (body mass index z-score<2) symptomatic children with OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 2) were evaluated. The patients were divided into two age categories: preschool (age<6; n=33) and schoolchildren (age ≥ 6; n=25). Polysomnographic findings and adenoid and tonsil sizes were compared. The relative contributions of body mass index and adenoid and tonsil sizes were also investigated with a regression analysis.
Results:
Adenoid grade and apnea index correlated significantly in preschool children (r=0.45, p<0.01). On regression analysis, adenoid grade was a significant predictor of the apnea index in preschool children. The influence of adenoid hypertrophy decreased from preschool to schoolchildren. Tonsil size had little influence on the apnea index in either group.
Conclusion:
Adenoid hypertrophy was a major contributor to OSAS in normal-weight preschool children. The upper airway morphology of younger children with OSAS differed from that of older children with OSAS.
More Related Videos
14:05Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
07:54Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016