Blood parameters as indicators of upper airway obstruction in children with adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

UNLABELLED: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. This study aimed to evaluate the blood parameters of children with ATH who underwent surgery.

METHODS

The study included a review of the medical records of 130 children who underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy with a diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy and/or chronic tonsillitis. Patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1 (n=69) underwent adenoidectomy, group 2 (n=61) underwent adenotonsillectomy, and group 3 consisted of 82 healthy children. White blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin levels, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width values were the primary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and hemoglobin values decreased in the groups that underwent surgery. Whereas the decrease in group 1 was insignificant, it was significant in group 2. White blood cell count values increased in both group 1 (adenoidectomy) and group 2 (adenotonsillectomy), but the increase in group 2 was significant. No significant difference in platelet count was detected before versus after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper airway obstruction caused by ATH remarkably changes the blood parameters related to chronic hypoxia. Significant improvement can be achieved after adenotonsillectomy rather than adenoidectomy alone.