Enlarged adenoids and cardiorespiratory abnormalities in children at a teaching hospital in South West Nigeria

Background

Enlarged adenoid may be associated with cardiorespiratory abnormalities. This study aims to document the prevalence and pattern of cardiorespiratory abnormalities among children with enlarged adenoid in a teaching hospital in south west Nigeria.

Methods

A prospective, case-controlled hospital-based study of children that had diagnosis of enlarged adenoid.

Results

There were 90 subjects and 90 controls and age ranged from 8 months to 12 years. There were 61 males and 29 females (subjects) and 58 male and 32 females (controls). Largest proportion was age group 1–3years (36.7 %) (Subjects) and 4–6years (43.3 %) (Controls) The common symptoms in the subjects were recurrent nasal obstruction (100 %), and mouth breathing (98.9 %). The adenoidal nasopharyngeal ratio (ANR) ranged from 0.60 to 0.89 (subjects). Age group (1–3 years) had greatest proportion of severe nasopharyngeal obstruction 37.9 %. There was significant association between age and nasopharyngeal obstruction (P = 0.03). Abnormal ECG was found in 16.7 % (subjects) and 1.1 % (controls). RVH was the predominant (10 %) abnormal finding. Pneumonic changes were found in the CXR in 24.4 % (subjects) and 7.8 % (control) and Cardiomegaly was in 6.7 % (subjects). There was significant association between ANR & abnormal ECG findings (P = 0.04), ANR & bronchopneumonia (P = 0.03) and ANR and cardiomegaly (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adenoid hypertrophy predisposes children to cardiorespiratory abnormalities. Efforts should be geared toward early intervention when symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy fail to resolve following medical treatment.