A Case of the “Chubby Puffer” Syndrome

Abstract

The cause of upper airway obstruction in most children is adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy; however, obesity can be the cause as in Pickwickian syndrome.
The present case with complaints of loud snoring and sleep a pnea, was a 6-yearold girl who weighted 39 Kg. Her tonsils and adenoids were remarkably enlarged. The maximum mesopharyngeal pressure amplitude during sleep was 68 cmH₂O. Because of upper airway obstruction and obesity, she was diagnosed as having the “Chubby Puffer” syndrome. After adenotonsillectomy, her symptoms were relieved. The suspected mechanism of upper airway obstruction in our case was adenotonsillar hypertrophy.