What are tonsils and adenoids?

They are concentrations of lymphatic tissue in the pharynx and their function is related to the body’s defense.

What problems can tonsils and adenoids cause?

When they overgrow (grow) enough they significantly obstruct breathing through the mouth and nose. The child has nasal speech (“talking” with the nose) and restless sleep with heavy snoring and periods of apnea (breathing stops for seconds). As a result, the child may experience sleepiness during the day, poor performance at school, reduced food intake and even delayed growth. In addition, frequent infections (otitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, etc.) are an important problem for the health of these children. Finally, secretory otitis (fluid in the middle ear) can occur, causing mild to moderate hearing loss, which in younger children may also lead to speech development problems.

When are tonsils and adenoids removed?

When the above symptoms occur, especially apnea during the night and recurrent infections, then the tonsils and adenoids are removed. In children with secretory otitis it is necessary to remove the fluid and possibly place a ventilation tube.

Do tonsils and “meatballs” grow back after they are removed?

If they are not completely removed and any residue is left they can overgrow and cause problems in the future. But this rarely happens.

Is the child’s defensive ability affected by their removal?

It has not been proven in studies that children who have undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenotomy have a reduced resistance to infections compared to children who have not been operated on.

The information you have read is informative.
Consult your pediatrician and otolaryngologist for details.