The positive effect of adenotonsillectomy on physical growth in children under 7 years, with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

  Backgraund: Growth failure has been reported as a common complication of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but few studies have reported on the effect of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on subsequent physical growth in children with OSAS who are under 7 years old. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AT on physical growth in children under 7 years old. with OSAS. Our study included 19 children (13 boys and 6 girls). We diagnosed OSAS based on adenotonsillar hypertrophy and an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 with type 3 portable monitoring. After AT, anthropometric measurements were performed in children 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery. Results: After AT, AHI significantly decreased from 18.9±15.3 to 3.4±1.6 (P<0.01). Three months after AT, body mass index (BMI) percentiles significantly increased from 43.9±26.1 to 55.6±22.5 (P=0.023). Twelve months after AT, standard deviation scores for height significantly increased from −0.26±0.94 to 0.006±0.63 (P=0.022). Conclusions: After AT, body weight increased sooner than height in patients under 7 years old, with OSAS.