A pair of studies published in Pediatrics suggests that tonsillectomy is limited in its effect on chronic throat infections, but may be a good option for some children with obstructive sleep apnea, Fox News reports.
For the sleep apnea study, researchers examined data from 11 previously published studies that generally followed kids for up to one year.
Compared to kids who didn’t get surgery, children who had tonsillectomies had greater improvements in sleep-related quality of life and in negative behaviors that are worsened by apnea such as anxiety or mood swings, the analysis found.
“These effects are most significant in children with mild to moderate sleep apnea, where the average improvement could represent a complete cure of the problem,” said Dr. David Francis, senior author of the sleep apnea study and also a researcher at Vanderbilt University.
Read more at www.foxnews.com
Please see the chapter in GROWING A HEALTHY CHILD on ADHD vs obstructive sleep apnea for an extensive discussion on this topic. Please also see the quote on page 173 from T. J. Ritter, M.D. in 1910 saying “These tumors (enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids) must be removed and then the child will breathe the air through the nostrils as nature intended and it will be far healthier.”
Keep in mind this quote was published in 1910 when surgery was far different than today.