Can enlarged adenoids cause childhood sleep apnea?

Can enlarged adenoids cause childhood sleep apnea?

My son needed to have a sleep test because he kept snoring so loudly, and then we found out that he has enlarged adenoids. Could these have caused his sleep apnea?

2 Answers

Dr. Gary H. Miller

Pulmonologist

Washington, DC

Absolutely. In fact this is the most common cause of childhood sleep apnea and is considered to be the treatment of choice when combined with tonsillectomy

Dr. Jean-jacques Rajter

Sleep Medicine Specialist

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Yes. That is why the recommendation is to assess children with significantly enlarged tonsils/adenoids for sleep apnea. If present, intervention is usually warranted. This answer is purely informative and does not substitute for a proper assessment by a sleep specialist.

Jean-Jacques Rajter, MD