Changes in growth pattern, leptin ghrelin and neuropeptide Y levels after adenotonsillectomy in prepubertal children

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether surgical treatment of adenotonsillar hypertrophy has an effect on growth patterns and circulating concentrations of leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y, which are all significant in energy balance.

The study group consisted of 20 children who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy due to chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. The ages ranged from 4.3 to 9.2 years with normal weight. The healthy control subjects consisted of 30 age- and sex-matched children (control group) with ages between 3.2 and 8.1 years. Serum levels of leptin ghrelin and neuropeptide Y were measured in the preoperative period and at the end of the postoperative period, which was 6 months in the study group, serum levels were only measured during the first examination in the control group.

When the study group (preoperative) is compared with the control group, it is observed that the leptin and ghrelin levels were higher in the study group and that the neuropeptide Y levels were similar (p=0.01, p=0.005, p=0.19, respectively). When the preoperative and postoperative anthropometric data were compared, it was observed that weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and BMI-standard deviation score (SDS) values increased in the 6th month postoperatively (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.01, p=0.03, respectively). However, the leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y levels were similar (p=0.70, p=0.12, p=0.60, respectively).

Following adenotonsillectomy, an increase in weight and height occurred in the children. In the postoperative period, dietary and lifestyle suggestions as well as growth monitoring might be useful.