What are the dangers of adenoid hypertrophy?

  Children with adenoid hypertrophy blocking the posterior nostril and the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube can develop otorhinopharyngeal symptoms. The symptoms include open-mouth breathing during sleep, snoring with the back of the tongue, restless sleep at night, nasal secretions, occlusive nasal sounds when speaking, and slurred speech. The ataxia between swallowing and breathing is dysfunctional, and choking and coughing often occur. The downward flow of secretions irritates the respiratory mucosa and predisposes to bronchitis. Non-suppurative otitis media caused by obstruction of the eustachian tube leads to hearing loss, tympanic membrane invagination or middle ear effusion. Long-term hypoxia can even lead to pulmonary heart disease.  Local symptoms: (1) ear symptoms, obstruction of the pharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube will be complicated by secretory otitis media, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus, and sometimes purulent otitis media; (2) nasal symptoms: often complicated by rhinitis and sinusitis, with symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose; (3) throat and lower respiratory tract symptoms: secretions irritate the respiratory tract mucosa, often causing paroxysmal coughing and bronchitis; (4) prolonged open-mouth breathing (4) Long-term open-mouth breathing affects facial bone development, the maxilla becomes longer, the palate is elevated, the teeth are not aligned, the upper incisors are prominent, the lips are thick, lack of expression, the so-called “adenoid face”, the posterior pharyngeal wall is attached to purulent secretions, the hard palate is high and narrow, often accompanied by tonsillar hypertrophy.  Systemic symptoms: inattentiveness, night terrors, teeth grinding, urination, etc. Younger infants may have feeding difficulties, malnutrition, and growth retardation.