Question
For a 4-year-old child, the doctor recommends surgical treatment for adenoid hypertrophy. However, the parents are hesitant about surgery and seek non-surgical medication treatment options.
Answer
The standard treatment for adenoid hypertrophy is surgical treatment. If a child’s adenoid hypertrophy recurs frequently and conservative treatment is ineffective, or develops into more widespread health issues, such as common sinusitis, hearing problems, secretory otitis media, and severe breathing difficulties (such as snoring), surgery becomes necessary. It is ideal to receive standard treatment as soon as possible. Some parents are concerned that surgery may lower the child’s resistance or pose risks, but in fact, the adenoids naturally shrink after the age of 10. Pathologically enlarged adenoids not only fail to provide protection but may also lead to children being more susceptible to diseases like otitis media, and can have negative impacts on appearance, physical development, and intellectual growth. Therefore, it is recommended that once adenoid hypertrophy is diagnosed, timely treatment should be sought.