Bioclinical Profile of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in the Pediatric Population

Background: Tonsils and adenoids comprise the main bulk of Waldeyer's ring, which is commonly enlarged in childhood, until the age of 11. Obstructive sleep apnea caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a major contributing factor to cardiorespiratory morbidity in the pediatric population. It is also responsible for otitis media with effusion, the most frequent cause of children's hearing loss. Even so, there is scarce knowledge of its molecular pathogenesis.

Objective: Identification of clinical/molecular markers of adenotonsillar enlargement and investigation of their participation in the process of tissue hypertrophy.

Methods: A prospective cohort of children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy were recruited starting on 02/01/2017 and ending on 12/22/2017. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, sleep apnea severity, tonsillar size, presence of middle ear effusion, family history, review of systems as well as tympanometric and complete blood count results were recorded. Blood samples and tissue specimens from the therapeutic adenotonsillectomy procedure were archived for future analyses. Children with chronic tonsillitis and/or adenoiditis, who also underwent excision of tonsils and/or adenoids served as study controls. Informed consent was obtained from parents of all study participants.

Inclusion criteria

• Available history and physical exam findings
• Available complete blood count and tympanometry at admission

Exclusion criteria

• Previous tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
• Previous ear surgery.
• Acute infection during the past month.
• Active severe systemic disease.