Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2010 Dec;30(4):299-306.

Risk Factors for Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children with Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Many children who have allergic rhinitis (AR) have adenoid hypertrophy (AH) which can cause significant morbidity.
OBJECTIVE
To know the risk factors for AH in children with AR. METHOD: 208 children aged 3~15 years with AR who visited the allergy clinic of the Department of Pediatrics between January 2006 and December 2008 were enrolled. We measured the size of adenoids on lateral X-rays of the neck using the Fusioka's method and defined AH. Children were divided into 2 groups: those with AR and those without AR. The 2 groups were compared in terms of parameters, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) score, body mass index (BMI) and atopic charac teristics. RESULT: AH was observed in 52 (25.0%) of 208 children with AR. OSA score of >3.5 was observed in 19 (36.5%) of 52 children with AH. Obesity [odds ratio (OR)= 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8~9.2], nasal eosinophil counts (OR=2.0; 95% CI, 1.0~3.9), positive skin reactivity to molds (OR=4.1; 95% CI, 1.8~9.2), positive skin reactivity to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) or Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) (OR=2.6; 95% CI, 1.1~5.7) were significant risk factors for AH in AR children.
CONCLUSION
Obesity, elevated nasal eosinophil counts, positive skin reactivity to molds and Dp or Df in children with AR may be associated with AH.

MeSH Terms

Adenoids
Aged
Body Mass Index
Child
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Eosinophils
Fungi
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Hypertrophy
Neck
Obesity
Pediatrics
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Risk Factors
Skin
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive