Question
Over the past six months, my child sometimes snores while sleeping, and sometimes it’s fine. It’s more obvious when they have a cold. Could this be adenoid hypertrophy? What are the symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy?
Answer
Hello, the adenoids, also known as the palatine tonsils or pharyngeal tonsils, are located at the top of the nasopharynx and the posterior wall of the pharynx. They are part of the lymphatic tissue and have a citrus-like surface. Adenoid hypertrophy occurs when the adenoids are repeatedly stimulated by inflammation, leading to pathological hyperplasia. This causes symptoms such as nasal obstruction and mouth breathing, which worsen at night, leading to snoring during sleep and restless sleep. Children often turn over frequently, and this is more pronounced when lying on their backs. In severe cases, there may be breathing pauses.