Question

My child is 5 years old and snores at night. Snoring improves when sleeping on the side, and requires a high, firm pillow. A thorough examination at the hospital a few days ago revealed enlarged adenoids and tonsils. The doctor only prescribed saline nasal drops and an over-the-counter medication, and advised that if the child wakes up gasping or sleeps restlessly, I should consider a sleep study. However, I have researched extensively, and it is mentioned that adenoids will shrink during puberty. But I wonder, will the tonsils shrink as well? Thank you!

Answer

If there is no chronic inflammation, the adenoids and tonsils will become smaller after puberty. However, if the enlarged adenoids and tonsils are currently causing snoring at night, affecting sleep quality, and interfering with the child’s physical, intellectual, and facial growth development, if medication treatment is not effective, it is recommended to promptly undergo a sleep study to understand the child’s sleep status and oxygen changes during sleep. If necessary, consider timely surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids to ensure airway patency and improve sleep quality.