Inferior turbinate hypertrophy predicts adenoid hypertrophy in children with obstructive sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND

Adenoid hypertrophy contributes to nasal obstruction and obstructive sleep disorders in children, but can be difficult to assess. This study examines whether inferior turbinate hypertrophy can predict adenoid hypertrophy severity in children with obstructive sleep disorders.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included children (0-18 years) with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnoea who underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Analyses explored demographic, clinical and endoscopic associations with adenoid hypertrophy.

RESULTS

A total of 269 children were included. Separate univariate analyses showed that older age and greater inferior turbinate hypertrophy predicted greater adenoid hypertrophy (p < 0.05). However, in multivariate ordered logistic regression, only inferior turbinate hypertrophy remained significant (p < 0.01), while age did not (p = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest inferior turbinate hypertrophy may serve as a proxy for adenoid hypertrophy, aiding clinicians in assessment and guiding further evaluation or intervention.