Impact of Adenoidectomy on Emotional, Social, and Academic Development in Children: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is a common condition in children, leading to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), recurrent infections, and nasal breathing issues, which impact emotional and social growth. Although adenoidectomy is a common treatment, its broader effects on emotional, social, and academic development are underexplored. This longitudinal observational cohort study, conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 at a tertiary care center, involved 200 children aged 4 to 10 years with AH. Assessments were performed pre-surgery and at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-surgery. Data collection included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), polysomnography, school reports, standardized test scores, and social interaction analysis. Statistical analyses utilized SPSS version 27, employing repeated measures ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multivariate regression analysis. Post-surgery, significant improvements were observed. Emotional symptoms decreased by 33%, conduct problems by 29%, and hyperactivity by 27% (p < 0.001). Social functioning scores improved by 27%, with enhancements in peer relationships and group activity participation (p < 0.001). Academic performance increased by 24%, particularly in sustained attention and cognitive flexibility (p < 0.001). The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) decreased by 84%, correlating strongly with behavioural and emotional improvements (p < 0.001). Emotional regulation and social interactions were the most significantly impacted, while basic arithmetic skills were the least affected. Adenoidectomy significantly benefits the emotional, social, and academic development of children with AH. Early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach involving ENT specialists, paediatricians, psychologists, and educators are essential for mitigating the impacts of AH. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and the mechanisms linking improved sleep quality with developmental progress.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-05111-x.