Question
A child over two years old has been suffering from a persistent runny nose for more than a month, and no medication has been effective. After a medical examination, the doctor diagnosed adenoid hypertrophy. How should it be treated, and will it affect the child’s growth?
Answer
The adenoids are located in the nasopharynx, which is the area behind the nose and above the throat. Children’s adenoids are usually larger, and mild runny nose can be treated with medication such as intranasal corticosteroids. If the adenoids become abnormally enlarged and affect breathing, even causing snoring, it may impact the normal growth and development of the maxillofacial skeleton. In such cases, if conservative treatment is ineffective, it is generally recommended to surgically remove the adenoids between the ages of 4 and 5. As children grow older, the adenoids gradually shrink, and the condition may improve or even disappear completely. If conservative treatment is ineffective, medical treatment should be sought as soon as possible.