Enlarged Adenoids

What are enlarged adenoids?

Enlargement of the adenoids -- lymphatic tissue that is the similar to the tonsils -- is often found in children younger than 5 years old.

Adenoids, also called nasopharyngeal tonsils, are located in the nasopharynx, which is the passage way from the nose down to the back of the throat.

Like the tonsils, adenoids work to trap and destroy foreign particles that are breathed in through the nose. In some children, the adenoids may swell up and cause problems, particularly during respiratory infections when there is excess mucus and inflammation in the upper airway.

Adenoids normally start to grow before a child is born and continue until age 3-7; they disappear in most children during adolescence. It is not known why the adenoid tissue swells up in some children but not in others. Some children may be born with larger adenoids to begin with; in other children, repeated infections or inflammation may stimulate the adenoids to grow.

Treatment / What you should do

If you suspect that your child has enlarged adenoids, you should contact your doctor.

Based on the child's symptoms, the doctor will determine if there is a need for a referral to a specialist.

If your child has enlarged adenoids that are causing significant problems for your child, the specialist may recommend an operation to remove the adenoids (adenoidectomy). This usually is done as an outpatient procedure. Occasionally, adenoids can grow back after a period of time, in which case a second operation might be necessary.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent the adenoids from growing larger.