Thirty years ago, about 90% of tonsillectomies in children were done for recurrent throat infection; now it is about 20% for infection and 80% for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What is a tonsillectomy?
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Tonsils are two small glands located in the back of your throat. Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected.
Tonsillectomies have historically been performed primarily as a result of recurrent throat infections in children. A recent study published in the journal, Pediatrics, compared the outcomes in two groups of children who had suffered from at least three through infections in the previous one to three years. One group had tonsillectomies and the other did not. The data from the study showed that the number of sore throats or infections decreased in both groups. In the first twelve months there was a greater decrease in the number of sore throat days, clinician contact, diagnosed infections and school absences in the group that had tonsillectomies. However, the “quality of life was not markedly different between groups at any time point.”
The authors of the study discuss limitations in the methods available to categorize infection/sore through severity. They concluded that there is moderate evidence that the surgical procedure reduced short-term infections, but may not have any effect in reducing long-term infections, missed school or quality of life.
Today, tonsillectomies are performed for often to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In the United States, the number of tonsillectomies has declined significantly since the 1970s, though it varies from region to region. Most tonsillectomies are performed once a child has a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea in children?
It is estimated that 2-3% of children suffer from sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the partial or complete closure of the airway during sleep that results in a reduction of airflow. The most common cause of childhood OSA is having overly large tonsils and adenoids (a soft mass of tissue located just behind the uvula) that block off the airway during sleep. Tonsillectomy cures sleep apnea in 80-90% of children.
How is sleep apnea different for children from adults?
For the most part, any snoring or gasping for air in a child indicates a health risk. In fact, while an adult with up to five apneas per hour is considered to be normal and would NOT have a diagnosis of sleep apnea, in children, as little as one apnea per hour is sufficient for a diagnosis of sleep apnea (read more about apneas and AHI here).
Unlike adults, surgical treatment for children with sleep apnea is almost always successful. But there are cases when surgery does not work and other treatment is needed. For some children, weight loss and/or CPAP therapy can treat sleep apnea (read more about CPAP for children here).
Are you concerned that you or a loved one may suffer from a sleep disorder like sleep apnea? Request a sleep study or a consultation with a sleep specialist.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/17/health/tonsils-removed-surgery-children-study/index.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2017/01/15/peds.2016-3490
http://www.healthline.com/health/tonsillectomy#Overview1
http://www.entnet.org/content/tonsillectomy-facts-us-ent-doctors
Other posts you may find interesting:
- Sleep Disorders Affecting Children; Does Your Child Need a Sleep Study?
- What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children?
- Why Do Kids Like Jahi McMath Need Surgery to Remove their Tonsils for Sleep Apnea?
- Sleepy Students Perform Worse in School
- How to Prepare Your Child for His Sleep Study.
- The Scoop on Sleep Apnea Surgery
Comments
Testicle Massage
Posted on July 25, 2021Hi Julia!! Just wanna say that you have amazing writing skills.
Drift Boss
Posted on December 30, 2021Hello, Julia!! I just wanted to compliment you on your writing abilities.
buy csgo accounts
Posted on January 16, 2022The motive of providing accounts of all ranges on our platform is to give customers what they demand and what they deserve.
vex 6
Posted on January 26, 2022Hello,have a great gaming experience.
Umzug Kiel
Posted on January 31, 2022Hi Julia,
thanks for this uncredible facts about this topic. It’s thought-provoking, well done.
Umzug Berlin
Posted on February 02, 2022Hi guys, if you´re looking for a moving company, take this one and you will be happy.
Entrümpelung Berlin
Posted on February 02, 2022You will get a great service, trust us.
Umzug Hamburg
Posted on February 03, 2022It shows a great article. Keep it up, Julia.
Schlüsseldienst Mannheim
Posted on February 03, 2022You can inform you or get some special keys, great service. Thanks!
Sanitär Notdienst Hamburg
Posted on February 03, 2022You get help and other service if you want. Thanks for this posting.
Entrümpelung Hamburg
Posted on February 03, 2022Thanks for this chance, your work is great, Julia.
Umzug Berlin
Posted on February 10, 2022Thanks for sharing everything in a very ethical manner. I enjoyed reading your content.
Spinplex Umzüge
Posted on February 11, 2022Hello,have a great gaming experience.
Saul Maynard
Posted on March 02, 2022Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected.
Entrümpelung Kiel
Posted on March 09, 2022You did such a great job, Julia. I like it and please publish more.
Reinigungsfirma Berlin
Posted on March 15, 2022Thanks for sharing everything in a very nice manner.
Umzug Hamburg
Posted on May 30, 2022Thanks for this amazing post, well done
rtndir
Posted on June 18, 2022Hi I’m Janet! I came here from another country, and now I am trying to find mutual friends, to succeed in my studies and work. I am involved in charity, as well as conducting various analytical surveys on human health. Thanks for this article, I was interested to read
Nick
Posted on August 24, 2022Tonsillectomies have historically been performed primarily as a result of recurrent throat infections in children.
Sinan Dar
Posted on October 10, 2022Hi Julia Rodriguez….! Nice Article, Thanks a lot for giving this informative article…
Seyfettin Cetin
Posted on October 25, 2022Thank you for this article. It is great.
Moni Leier
Posted on November 09, 2022Thanks for this amazing post, well done
Rita Morgenstern
Posted on November 09, 2022Bonjour Julia, un sujet intéressant et une contribution importante. Merci pour ça
Cleaning Berlin
Posted on November 09, 2022Cleaning and hygiene are important issues not only in the life of our little ones. Thank you for your article
Leon Umzug
Posted on November 09, 2022Nous proposons des déménagements proches et lointains, merci pour cette opportunité.
Camping Platz
Posted on November 09, 2022Hi Julia,
thanks for this uncredible facts about this topic. Thanks for support
Tuzzi Tuzzi
Posted on November 09, 2022L’argomento è di grande importanza. Grazie per questo articolo perspicace. La veste bene. Grazie molto.
Thommy Werbeagentur
Posted on November 09, 2022The subject is well described. interesting article
Frank Walder
Posted on November 10, 2022A very important topic. Thanks for the enlightenment
Reinigung Berlin
Posted on November 10, 2022this article has so much interesting. great
Architekten Bochum
Posted on November 12, 2022interesting information on this topic, which affects many people
Stockton
Posted on November 30, 2022Unlike adults, surgical treatment for children with sleep apnea is almost always successful.
Face Highlighter
Posted on December 10, 2022Nice article, I really get inspired reading your article.
Sinan darr
Posted on December 20, 2022Danke für diese nützliche Information.
Physiotherapie Düsseldorf
Posted on January 08, 2023An important topic, thanks for this post.
Gebäudereinigung Heidelberg
Posted on January 31, 2023Super useful article, thanks!
Logopädie Nürnberg
Posted on February 02, 2023this article has so much interesting. tx
Tamarac
Posted on March 10, 2023They concluded that there is moderate evidence that the surgical procedure reduced short-term infections, but may not have any effect in reducing long-term infections, missed school or quality of life.
Malden
Posted on March 10, 2023Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected.
Umzugsunternehmen Hamburg
Posted on March 22, 2023Vielen Dank für den tollen Beitrag, der sehr informativ und gut strukturiert ist.
Traumdeutung Renner
Posted on April 20, 2023You will get a great service, thanks!
Umzugsfirma Braunschweig
Posted on June 18, 2023Danke für den Beitrag, und schöne Grüsse aus Braunschweig.
Entrümpelungen-Nord
Posted on July 13, 2023you will get great service, cheack up.
Space Connect GmbH
Posted on July 13, 2023wow, nice article.
Dachdecken-Nord
Posted on July 13, 2023very nice service you will get
Die Möbel Packer
Posted on July 13, 2023check up our great service
BSGR
Posted on July 13, 2023super article, great information
Galabau-Nord
Posted on July 13, 2023More Article like this one
CleanTeam
Posted on July 13, 2023perfectly article
GutachterZentrale
Posted on July 13, 2023write more like this
MAlereibetrieb
Posted on July 13, 2023please antoher one
O.Toktas
Posted on August 31, 2023Nice article, wonderfull explained everything.
peacocktv.com/tv
Posted on September 16, 2023Peacocktv.com/tv – Enter Your Tv Code
Umzugsfirma Berlin
Posted on September 26, 2023Erstaunlicher Artikel. Sie haben ihn kurz und moralisch beschrieben.
peacocktv.com/tv
Posted on November 24, 2023Thank you so much for this kind of valuable post its amazing post it may helpful for each visitors.
Umzugsfirma Berlin
Posted on November 27, 2023We appreciate your explanation because it’s useful for us.