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Growth and mouth breathers

Mario Morais-Almeida1, Gustavo Falbo Wandalsen2, Dirceu Solé2

  • 1Centro de Alergia dos Hospitais CUF, Lisbon, Portugal; Sociedade Portuguesa de Alergologia e Imunologia Clínica, Lisbon, Portugal.

Jornal De Pediatria
|January 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mouth breathing in children can lead to growth disorders and reduced growth hormone. Early assessment and treatment of mouth breathing are crucial for addressing growth impairment in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Mouth breathing is frequently caused by enlarged tonsils or allergic rhinitis in children.
  • Respiratory sleep disturbances are common in children with mouth breathing.
  • Existing literature suggests a link between mouth breathing and impaired growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the connection between mouth breathing and growth disorders in pediatric populations.
  • To determine if mouth breathing impacts growth hormone levels and overall growth.
  • To highlight the importance of considering mouth breathing in the differential diagnosis of growth retardation.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of the MEDLINE database was conducted for studies published in the last 10 years.
  • Search terms included "mouth breathing," "adenotonsilar hypertrophy," "allergic rhinitis," "sleep disturbance," and various terms related to growth impairment.
  • A total of 20 relevant articles were included after initial screening of 247 identified studies.

Main Results:

  • Mouth breathing is often associated with palatine and/or pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy, with or without allergic rhinitis.
  • Children with mouth breathing frequently experience respiratory sleep disorders.
  • Studies indicate that mouth breathing is linked to reduced growth and diminished growth hormone release, which can be reversed with treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Mouth breathing should be recognized as a potential contributor to growth retardation in children.
  • Pediatricians must conduct comprehensive assessments of children presenting with mouth breathing.
  • Effective clinical and/or surgical treatment of mouth breathing can lead to the normalization of growth parameters.
Abstract

Keywords:
Adenoid hypertrophyAllergic rhinitisCrescimentoGrowthHipertrofia de adenoideHipertrofia de amígdalaMouth breatherRespirador oralRinite alérgicaTonsillar hypertrophy

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