How Enlarged Tonsils Affect Your Child's Health

Tonsillar hypertrophy, a condition in which the tonsils are enlarged, is more common in children than adults. Large tonsils usually don't cause symptoms or only cause minimal symptoms. But they can cause health problems, including snoring and sleep apnea—which can affect daytime behavior and long-term growth in children.

If you have any concerns about your child's tonsils, their healthcare provider can assess whether enlarged tonsils could be causing adverse health effects and whether your child needs treatment.

This article takes you through the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of enlarged tonsils, plus possible complications to be aware of.

What Causes Enlarged Tonsils in Kids?

Children can have large tonsils for a number of reasons. The back of the mouth and throat are proportionately smaller in children. The lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and adenoids grows in most children between the ages of two and six years.

For children who do not have room to spare, tonsil growth may cause a narrowing that prevents adequate passage of air. Additionally, muscle tone is firmer in children than adults, potentially shrinking the airway opening in the back of the throat.

The tonsils can become swollen and inflamed when tonsillitis results from allergies or infections, and sometimes these issues can become chronic.

What Are the Symptoms of Enlarged Tonsils?

Many children who have large tonsils never develop symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they tend to be more common during sleep, when the muscles are more relaxed.

Children with enlarged tonsils might snore during sleep, and some can develop sleep apnea, which could be noticed if someone else is in the room.

The most common symptoms of enlarged tonsils include:

• Loud breathing
• Snoring
• Trouble swallowing
• Daytime sleepiness

If your child has enlarged tonsils due to an acute and short-lived infection, the symptoms may include a fever, sore throat, and cough. Prolonged symptoms indicate a chronic issue.

Complications of Enlarged Tonsils

Sometimes enlarged tonsils can cause problems. Many of these complications can contribute to and worsen each other. For example, large tonsils can predispose your child to recurrent infections, which in turn can lead to chronically inflamed tonsils.

Obstructed Breathing

Enlarged tonsils can interfere with breathing. This is more common during sleep, but it can occur while awake.

Children who have tonsillar hypertrophy might develop mouth breathing, which can lead to dental issues such as periodontal disease, halitosis (bad breath), and tooth decay.

Sleep Problems

Sleep problems due to enlarged tonsils include waking up frequently at night, usually falling back asleep right away. Interrupted sleep and oxygen deficiency can prevent a child from getting enough restorative sleep.

Untreated snoring and sleep apnea can have a significant impact on a child's health. Inadequate sleep may disturb the release of growth hormones and interfere with adequate growth.

Eating Difficulty

Children who have tonsillar hypertrophy can have trouble swallowing food. Additionally, oral health and dental issues can interfere with eating.

Behavior Changes

A lack of restorative sleep and oxygen deprivation can cause symptoms of daytime fatigue, but it can also manifest with irritability, trouble concentrating, hyperactivity, and behavioral changes.

Heart and Pulmonary Disorders

Children who have enlarged tonsils can develop heart and lung complications. This can be caused by low oxygen, as the heart and lungs attempt to compensate for the effects of enlarged tonsils. In the long term, there can be a resulting change in the structure and function of the heart and lungs.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Contact your child's healthcare provider if your child has enlarged tonsils with:

• A fever over 101 degrees
• Pain that doesn't improve within a day or two
• Painful or difficult swallowing
• Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, or fussiness

Seek immediate medical care if your child experiences:

• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme difficulty swallowing
• Excessive drooling
• A bright red, bumpy rash
  

Diagnosing Enlarged Tonsils

Enlarged tonsils can be diagnosed with a physical examination. Anatomic variations that may be associated with a narrowed airway, such as large adenoids, a short neck, or a small jaw, may worsen the effects.

• The degree of enlargement is assessed with the Brodsky scale, which grades the size of the palatine tonsils from 1+ to 4+. At the largest classification, the tonsils are touching in the midline of the throat.

Additional tests that your child might have include pulse oximetry, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and arterial blood gas. These tests will assess your child's oxygen level and breathing ability.

Your child might also need a thorough dental examination, and in some cases, a sleep study to determine whether they are experiencing sleep apnea.

Treating Enlarged Tonsils in Kids

If you are concerned about the effects of tonsillar hypertrophy, or if your child has been snoring or having recurrent infections, your child's healthcare provider will discuss treatment options with you.

Treatments can depend on the cause of the enlargement:

• Treatment for inflammation and swelling due to allergies will often involve medications to reduce the allergic reaction.
• Tonsillitis caused by a viral infection usually involves supportive care, such as fluids and fever reduction.
• Bacterial infections generally require treatment with antibiotics.
• Sometimes tonsils are removed with tonsillectomy surgery. This procedure has a low degree of risk and may resolve the effects of tonsillar hypertrophy or chronic tonsillitis.

Summary

Enlarged tonsils are common in children and may not cause symptoms. When symptoms occur, you may notice snoring, daytime drowsiness, and difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms such as pain and fever may also be present, depending on the cause of tonsil swelling. Complications can include obstructed breathing, sleep problems, and heart and pulmonary issues.

Diagnosis is usually based on a physical exam, but other tests may also be needed. Treatment addresses the cause of the enlargement (e.g., allergies, viral or bacterial infection). Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms include fever, significant pain, difficulty swallowing, or noticeable daytime fatigue that persists for more than a couple of days. Seek immediate medical attention for breathing difficulties, extreme difficulty swallowing, or if a red rash develops.